Pemberian Minyak Ikan Lemuru (Sardinella Lemuru) Terhadap Perbaikan Atrofi Sel Epitel Asinus Kelenjar Parotis pada Tikus Undernutrisi

Abstract

Background: Undernutrition is a condition characterized by a deficiency or imbalance of protein, energy, and other essential nutrients, resulting in body weight being below normal. Undernutrition can cause structural and functional changes in the parotid gland, manifested as atrophy of serous acinar cells, characterized by a decrease in acinar size and the presence of damage signs such as pyknotic cell nuclei, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and irregular acinar arrangement. Supplementation fish oil (Sardinella lemuru), which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, has been recognized for its potential role in supporting tissue repair and regeneration. Omega-3 fatty acids have been reported to increase insulin-like growth factor (IGF) activity, enhance antioxidant enzyme activity, and activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These mechanisms may promote protein synthesis, reduce cellular damage, and stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation involved in tissue regeneration. Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effect of lemuru fish oil supplementation on the recovery of serous acinar cell atrophy in the parotid gland of undernourished rats. Methods: This experimental study employed a post-test only control group design involving 25 male rats aged 4-5 weeks allocated into five groups: K1 (normal control), K2 (undernourished model), K3 (undernourished+standard diet), P1 (undernourished+commercial fish oil), and P2 (undernourished lemuru fish oil). Fish oil was administered orally at a dose of 0.06 ml/200 g body weight for 28 days. Histological evaluation was conducted using Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining to assess the number of atrophic serous acinar cells. Result: The mean number of atrophic serous acinar cells was significantly different among experimental groups (p < 0.05), with the highest mean observed in the K2 group (23.02), followed by K3 (12.76), P2 (9.58), and P1 (8.69). No significant difference was found between P1 and P2 (p = 0,441; p > 0,05), indicating that lemuru and commercial fish oil had comparable effects in reducing serous acinar cell atrophy in undernourished rats. Conclusion: lemuru fish oil (Sardinella lemuru) supplementation effectively ameliorated serous acinar cell atrophy in the parotid gland of undernourished rats, as evidenced by a reduction in the number of atrophic acinar cells.