Maintaining good health depends on, amongst other factors, of an adequate salivary flow1,2,3. Damage caused by obstruction, trauma or surgical removal of the salivary glands may lead to alterations in the saliva production. Any reduction in the salivary flow may result in harmful consequences to the living organism. This project was developed in order to enlighten the knowledge about the mechanisms that involve the regeneration of the rat submandibular gland (SMG) submitted to a partial lobe excision. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Archived sections of rat submandibular glands of 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 days of fetal life, and twenty male rats aging 30 or 60 days were utilized. Following anesthesia, the inferior third of the left lobe of the SMG of each animal was removed. Each animal was then left for recovery during 2, 3, 7 or 15 days, when were euthanazied and the glands removed, fixed in Methacarn solution, parafinated, and with sections of 5 ¼m under microtomy. Staining was either done by hematoxilin/eosin or by Periodic Schiff Acid (PAS). RESULTS: It was observed that the regenerative process occurred early and in all the specimens studied. It was similar to the aspect verified in the normal glandular development, and more pronounced at the 30-day rat. The cytodifferentiation represented by the neutral mucin labeling by the PAS, initially discrete, later on reaching its highest peak, and finally reducing its expression, having its place of initial establishment being changed. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it was possible to conclude that the regenerative process of the rat excised SMG is stable, permanent and gradual, following determined stages.
submandibular gland; regeneration; wound healing; PAS; salivary gland; neutral mucins
