Expression of neuron-specific enolase in irradiated salivary glands of the rat: a pilot study.

External irradiation of advanced head and neck cancer often includes the major salivary glands, despite them not being affected by the disease. The aim of this study was to determine neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as a marker of inflammation in irradiated and non-irradiated salivary glands of the rat. This study shows that NSE expression in irradiated salivary glands is dependent on the topography of the organ related to the irradiation source. NSE immunostaining was increased in irradiated rats, both in glands directly exposed to the irradiation source and in shielded glands, and compared to glands of non-irradiated animals. Staining of NSE in salivary glands appears to indicate the inflammatory response of the organ to X-ray exposure. The increased immunoreactivity for NSE in shielded glands might be useful as a marker of irradiation in salivary glands, even for scattered radiation effects in major salivary glands.