Structural and cytochemical modifications in the lingual glands of the newborn chicken irradiated with He-Ne laser

Despite the increasing and successful use of laser in Medicine and Odontology, the possible iatrogenic and otherwise deleterious side effects of this radiation remain mostly unknown. In previous studies, it was shown that both the embryonic and the post-hatched chicken constitute reliable experimental models for this type of studies. Hence, the purpose of the present work was to analyze the structural and cytochemical alterations of the lingual glands of the newborn chicken irradiated with low energy He-Ne laser. This laser produced regressive structural changes of the glands towards the embryonic stage as well as hyperplasia of the reserve glandular basal cells. Furthermore, a decrease in the glycoprotein content and a rise in the sulphated glycosaminoglycans were also found. These results corroborate the pathogenic effects of the He-Ne- laser on the experimental model employed and, at the same time, emphasize the importance of considering, regarding clinical applications, possible previous neoplastic alterations as well as adverse reactions which might appear once laser therapy has been installed.