Introduction: Background & Objectives:
Saliva is secreted from three pairs of major SGs (Parotid, Submandibular, Sublingual) and 100–800 minor SGs and plays a vital role in oral and general health. (Saliva) It consists of enzymes, glycoproteins ,antibacterial compounds such as lysozyme and IgA, and electrolytes. Salivary Glands hypofunction is associated with various conditions including Sjogren’s Syndrome, various medications and ectodermal dysplasias and Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancers. Hyposalivation negatively affects speaking, swallowing, and mastication in afflicted patients, which leads to considerable morbidities, including dysphagia, chronic dental caries, recurrent oral infections, and rare mandibular osteoradionecrosis. Therefore, there is high interest in developing effective therapies to repair and/or restore damaged SGs.
Methods: Materials & Methods:
Results:
This study was a review type. More than 70 research and review published papers from 1990 to 2017 in the field of community-based research were collected through searchable articles that have full-text access in the databases of PubMed, Elsevier, and etcetera.
Results: Materials & Methods:
The major SGs consist of several cell types and has a complex structure. As a result, several therapeutic in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo strategies in mice have been designed to restore SGs function: 1.Regenerative medicine via re-implantation of autologous SGs cells, 2.Cell therapy approaches using stem/progenitor cells transplantation ' Bone-Marrow-derived Cells (BMCs), human Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hAdMSCs), human Amniotic Epithelial cells (hAECs)' , 3.Gene therapy by Adeno viruses, 4. Tissue engineering through 3D (three-dimensional) Biomaterials/Nano scafolds with SGs cells and bioactive cues to mimic in vivo SGs and development of miniature SGs organoids for the fundamental restoration of saliva secretion. Additionally, emerging approaches describe the isolation, cultivation, and clinical potential of human SGs stem cells to treat Radiotherapy-induced hyposalivation.
Conclusion: Future Prospects:
To date, there is no effective preventive treatment or therapy for hyposalivation. Novel approaches including in vivo Gene therapy and Biomaterial and Tissue engineering technologies are fundamental to resolve the current limitations.