Morphofunctional characteristics of the mucous membrane of the masticatory apparatus in experimental carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND: Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are often accompanied by changes in the oral cavity. This is largely due to the morphological and functional unity of the oral mucosa and the entire digestive tract. Therefore, the role of a dentist is important in early oncological alertness for detecting malignant neoplasms at an early stage of their development.

AIM: Present the results of a morphological study of the mucous membrane of the mouth of an animal during experimental carcinogenesis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 168 sexually mature outbred white male rats kept under standard vivarium conditions. The animals were divided into the following groups: control — 84 individuals and experimental — 84 animals with simulated colon adenocarcinomatosis. Every 30 days of the experiment, 12 animals were withdrawn from the control and experimental groups. Carcinogenesis was modeled by the introduction of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride, previously diluted with isotonic sodium chloride solution. Using a histological study, the mucous membrane of the mouth was studied in animals of both examined groups.

RESULTS: The dynamics of morphological changes in the mucous membrane of the animal’s mouth was revealed against the background of the development of adenocarcinomatosis of the large intestine; the development of destructive-degenerative and sclerotic changes in the mucous membrane of the mouth of animals with simulated adenocarcinomatosis of the large intestine, the severity of which increased in accordance with the period of development of the neoplasm, was established.

CONCLUSION: The revealed changes in the large intestine and the mucous membrane of the animal’s mouth, caused by a simulated chemical carcinogen, indicate a high risk of developing a malignant tumor with spread to all parts of the gastrointestinal tract.