Effects of chronic ethanol consumption on the rat parotid gland.

Two-month-old Wistar rats ingested 10% ethanol for 12 months. Their parotid glands were then compared with those of normal controls by light microscopy. They had extensive ductal and acinar oncocytic transformation; numerous atypical acinar cells showed anisocytosis, polyploidism and hyperchromatism, features that were absent in controls. Oncocytosis and atypical acinar cells have been reported in 2-3-yr-old ('senile') Wistar rats. Thus, chronic alcohol ingestion may produce cellular features resembling those observed in the parotid gland of 'senile' Wistar rats.