Radioprotective effect of lidocaine on function and ultrastructure of salivary glands receiving fractionated radiation.

Purpose: Radiation-induced xerostomia still represents a common side effect after radiotherapy for head-and-neck malignancies. The aim of the present study was to examine the radioprotective effect of lidocaine hydrochloride during fractionated radiation in an experimental animal model.

Methods And Materials: To evaluate the influence of different radiation doses on salivary gland function and the radioprotective effect of lidocaine, rabbits were irradiated with 15, 25, 30, and 35 Gy (equivalent doses in 2-Gy fractions equivalent to 24, 40, 48, and 56 Gy, respectively).

Altered expression of cell-cell adhesion molecules β-catenin/E-cadherin and related Wnt-signaling pathway in sporadic and syndromal keratocystic odontogenic tumors.

Differential diagnosis of the keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) still represents a challenging problem especially if compared with the dentigerous cyst, which is similar in clinical and radiological course. Histological assessment of this entity may therefore draw crucial attention since various radical procedures are recommended for such lesions in contrast to dentigerous cysts. Since recent reports could prove the involvement of wingless(Wnt)-signaling pathway and β-catenin in the pathogenesis of many odontogenic and neoplastic lesions indicating impairment of cell-cell adhesion, we investigated the expression of two Wnt-signaling pathways, Wnt-1 and Wnt-10A as well as β-catenin and E-cadherin along with other related proteins in both lesions.