SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemia in cellular death and proliferation in the harderian gland of female mice. METHODS: Twenty female mice were divided into two groups of 10 animals each and treated: 0.2 mL of saline solution (controls, Ctr) and 200 µg of metoclopramide (experimental, hyperprolactinemia), both for 50 consecutive days and at 12:00 a.m. On the 50th day, the female were euthanized, and the harderian glands were removed and processed for immunohistochemistry for detected ki67 and TUNEL method. Data were statistically analyzed by unpaired Student’s t test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The harderian gland of the hyperprolactinemia group showed increase in the immunoexpression of Ki67 and TUNEL compared to the Ctr group (p<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the amount of porphyrin in the HPrl group compared to the Ctr group. CONCLUSION: The hyperprolactinemia led to increased cell death in the acini the harderian gland and cell proliferation in the stroma glandular, fact that suggesting a reduction process of cellular activity and fibrosis, which suggests impairment in the functioning of the lacrimal harderian.
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