The tongue of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens Cuvier, 1825)—a stereoscopy, light microscopy and ultrastructural analysis

In the light of recent molecular studies, there are two phylogenetic species of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens): Ailurus fulgens fulgens and Ailurus fulgens styani. The red panda belongs to the endangered species living in the wild only in Asia and is included in the CITES list. Although the biology and diet of this species has been extensively described, the histological structure of the tongue and lingual glands has not yet been characterized in detail in relation to the lifestyle of this mammal under specific conditions and as a basis for comparative anatomical studies of the biodiversity of endemic species. Study samples were collected from two adult males of Ailurus fulgens f. held in Wrocław Zoological Garden. Both tongues were examined macroscopically; moreover, samples with lingual papillae for light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were collected from the apex, body and root of the tongue. Both tongues of the Ailurus fulgens f. males were approximately 9 cm long. The dorsal lingual surface was covered with mechanical and gustatory lingual papillae. Filiform papillae were observed on the apex and the body of the tongue, while small conical papillae were observed on the root of the tongue. An elongated, 1–1.5 cm long cylinder-shaped lyssa was observed in the ventral part of the apex. Moreover, most numerous and largest round in shape fungiform papillae were observed on the apex and on the border of the body and root of the tongue, located directly rostrally to 12–13 round and oval in shape vallate papillae. The SEM study showed that filiform papillae on the apex had several long secondary processes, while filiform papillae on the body of the tongue were taller and their secondary papillae were shorter than the equivalent structures on the apex of the tongue. The SEM study showed numerous taste pores on the surface of the fungiform papilla, while irregular surface of the vallate papillae, however some of them had smoother surface. Mixed glands (comprised of mucous acini and serous acini) were present within the vallum (within the connective tissue core) of the vallate papilla. Beneath the papillae more serous glands were observed, while the posterior lingual glands in the caudal part of the root of the tongue were mucoserous (mucous units were prevalent). A characteristic feature of the tongue of Ailurus fulgens f. was the presence of lyssa, which is comparable to other representatives of Carnivora, but the number of vallate papillae was individually variable. The lack of strongly developed mechanical conical papillae probably may be related to the type of plant food that is particularly dominant in red panda. Further differences between Ailurus fulgens f. and Ailurus fulgens s. cannot be excluded. The results of these studies may be useful especially for veterinarians specializing in working with exotic animals and people dealing with wildlife conservation.

Study of the Possible Alleviated Role of Atorvastatin on Irinotecan-Induced Lingual Mucosal Damage: Histological and Molecular Study

Background. Oral mucositis is the most debilitating and troublesome adverse effect of irinotecan (CPT-11) treatment. It adversely affects the patient quality of life. The aim of this work was to study the histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular changes in the oral mucosa by CPT-11 and the possible alleviated role of atorvastatin. Methods. Rats were randomly divided into control, CPT-11-treated group, and CPT-11+ atorvastatin-treated group. At the end of the experiment, the anterior two-thirds of the tongue was dissected out and divided into two parts: one part for light microscopic examination and the second for molecular study. Results. CPT-11-treated group revealed loss of normal mucosal organization, areas of ulceration and inflammation, and loss of architecture of lingual papillae. A significant decrease in immunohistochemical and molecular gene expression of Ki-67 and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 levels was observed. A significant increase in NF-κB immunohistochemical and mRNA gene expression level and a nonsignificant increase in Nrf2 gene expression were detected. Coadministration of atorvastatin showed remarkable improvement in the histopathological picture with a significant increase in Ki-67 and Bcl-2, a significant decrease in NF-κB protein and gene expression, and a significant increase in Nrf2 gene expression. Conclusion. Atorvastatin substantially attenuates CPT-11-induced oral mucositis through the initiation of the antiapoptotic gene, modulation of the inflammatory, and antioxidant gene expression.

Migratory Glossitis Associated with Cleft Tongue: Case Report

Benign migratory glossitis, also known as geographic tongue, is characterized by the tongue inflammation and is associated with pain and difficulty eating due to the lingual papillae atrophy. It may appear in association with the fissured tongue. This paper reports the case of a 47-year-old male patient who sought dental care with the main complaint of burning, discomfort, increased sensitivity and a burning sensation on the tongue. He was diagnosed with migratory glossitis associated with a fissured tongue. The patient treatment was performed with an ointment based on triamcinolone acetonide (Omcilon- A Orabase®), which showed improvement in the clinical signs after seven days. The therapy used in this patient was effective in restoring the tongue papillae and improving signs and symptoms. Keywords: Glossitis, Benign Migratory. Tongue, Fissured. Oral Medicine ResumoA glossite migratória benigna, também conhecida como língua geográfica, caracteriza-se por inflamação da língua e está associada a dor e dificuldade na alimentação devido a atrofia das papilas linguais. Pode aparecer em associação à língua fissurada. Este trabalho relata o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino com idade de 47 anos que buscou atendimento odontológico com queixa principal de ardência, desconforto, sensibilidade aumentada e sensação de queimação na língua. Foi diagnosticado com glossite migratória associada a língua fissurada. O tratamento do paciente foi realizado com pomada à base de triancinolona acetonida (Omcilon- A Orabase®) demonstrou melhora no quadro clinico após sete dias. A terapêutica usada neste paciente foi eficaz no restabelecimento das papilas da língua e melhora dos sinais e sintomas. Palavras-chave: Glossite Migratória Benigna. Língua Fissurada. Medicina Bucal.

A Chemical-Mechanical Tongue Cleaning Method: An Approach to Control Halitosis and to Remove the Invisible Tongue Biofilm, A Possible Cause of Persistent Taste Disorder

Tongue coating or tongue biofilm is the main and most common cause of halitosis, as shown by numerous studies. There are four types of lingual papillae, three of which contain taste buds (vallate, fungiform, and foliate papillae). The filiform papillae are the most numerous and although they do not have taste cells, they surround the fungiform papillae and are in contact with the vallate and foliate papillae, which have taste buds. The anatomy of a single filiform papilla shows that it is not a simple bud coming out of the surface of the tongue, but a group of individual filaments in within the tongue biofilm can accumulate. In case of shear forces exerted on the papillae (i.e., the use of a tongue scraping), the sturdy papillae bend slightly and protect the then embedded biofilm remaining in the interstitial volume. Tongue coating may thus physically limit tastants’ access to taste pores and thus prevents their binding to taste receptors. A chemical-mechanical tongue cleaning technique (DC technique) can reach this biofilm with a better efficiency than the traditional methods to clean the tongue, such as the use of a tongue scraper or a toothbrush. DC technique removed 67,5% more coating than the tongue scraper and 148% more than the toothbrush. Further research should compare these methods concerning taste disorders.

Microstructure of the Surface of the Tongue and Histochemical Study of the Lingual Glands of the Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris Linnaeus, 1758) (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae)

Although the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract has been characterized in the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the exact anatomy of its tongue has not been studied. Samples of the lingual papillae and lingual glands were collected from the tongue of an adult female lowland tapir. The microscopic analysis of the structure of the lingual papillae and the histochemical analysis of the secretion of the lingual glands were analyzed. The tongue of the tapir is divided into the apex, body with a distinct lingual prominence, and the root. Its ventral surface is smooth. The most numerous of the mechanical papillae were the filiform papillae, while numerous conical papillae with a sharp apex or more rounded papillae were present in the root of the tongue. There were also nine vallate papillae and pair of foliate papillae. The foliate papillae contained several folds parted by 12–14 grooves. The mucous secretion produced by the lingual glands was more obvious than the serous secretion. The features of the dorsal surface of the tongue as well as the shape and number of the lingual papillae on the surface of the tongue of the examined female tapir differ compared to Equidae or Rhinocerotidae, the other two representatives of Perissodactyla. However, further study is necessary for the synapomorpy of the tapir’s tongue.