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. 2015 Oct;23(5):459-66.
doi: 10.1590/1678-775720150139.

Acinar autolysis and mucous extravasation in human sublingual glands: a microscopic postmortem study

Luciana Reis Azevedo-Alanis  1 , Elen de Souza Tolentino  2 , Gerson Francisco de Assis  3 , Tânia Mary Cestari  3 , Vanessa Soares Lara  4 , José Humberto Damante  4
Affiliations

Acinar autolysis and mucous extravasation in human sublingual glands: a microscopic postmortem study

Luciana Reis Azevedo-Alanis et al. J Appl Oral Sci. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

Although some morphological investigations on aged human sublingual glands (HSG) found eventual phenomena identified as autolysis and mucous extravasation, the exact meaning of these findings has not been elucidated.

Objective: The aim of this work is to investigate whether acinar autolysis and mucous extravasation are related to the aging process in human sublingual glands. We also speculate if autolytic changes may assist forensic pathologists in determining time of death.

Material and methods: 186 cadavers' glands were allocated to age groups: I (0-30 years); II (31-60), and III (61-90). Time and mode of death were also recorded. Acinar autolysis and mucous extravasation were classified as present or absent. Ultrastructural analysis was performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Data were compared using Mann-Whitney U, Spearman's correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn tests (p<0.05).

Results: There was correlation between age and acinar autolysis (r=0.38; p=0.0001). However, there was no correlation between autolysis and time of death. No differences were observed between genders. TEM showed mucous and serous cells presenting nuclear and membrane alterations and mucous cells were more susceptible to autolysis.

Conclusion: Acinar autolysis occurred in all age groups and increased with age while mucous extravasation was rarely found. Both findings are independent. Autolysis degrees in HSG could not be used to determine time of death.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Distribution of individuals according to age (decade of life) and gender
Figure 2
Figure 2. A: Acinar autolysis (*), Male, 49 years old (H.E. Original magnification: x100); B: Mucous extravasation (*), Female, 63 years old (H.E. Original magnification: x100). H.E.=Hematoxylin & eosin
Figure 3
Figure 3. Acinar autolysis. Loss of acinar cell limits and disperse nuclei. Male, 85 years old (H.E. Original magnification: x400). H.E.=Hematoxylin & eosin
Figure 4
Figure 4. Distribution of the different degrees of acinar autolysis according to age
Figure 5
Figure 5. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of a human sublingual gland with advanced autolysis (male, 71 years old). A: Secretion granules (SG) of mucous cells with partially degraded content; B: Secretion granules (SG) with membrane rupture and degradation of content.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of a human sublingual gland with advanced autolysis (male, 71 years old). A: Secretion granules of a serous cell (G) with partially preserved content and destruction of cytoplasmic organelles; B: Cisternae (arrow) and vesicles (*) of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and preserved nucleus (N) of a serous cell
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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