A novel experimental approach for In Vivo analyses of the salivary gland microvasculature and saliva production upon gamma radiotherapy

Introduction Xerostomia upon gamma radiotherapy in the head neck region considerably reduces the patient"s quality of life. Microvascular dysfunction is a fundamental process in the pathogenesis of radiation-induced sialadenitis. Hence, preserving and restoring the integrity of the microcirculation might represent a promising therapeutic strategy for this pathology. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain poorly understood, partly due to the unavailability of adequate in vivo models.