Adverse effects of deoxycholic acid in submandibular glands, submental, inguinal and subplantar regions: a study in rats

We aimed to evaluate the effects of the deoxycholic acid (DCA) in the submental and subplantar regions of rats, and to histologically analyze the changes caused in the submandibular glands, soft tissues of the paw, and inguinal adipose tissue.Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into DCA and control (CG) groups. DCA was injected in the submental, inguinal, and subplantar regions, and saline was injected in the CG. The animals were euthanized after 24 h and at 7 and 21 days.The DCA group showed edema in the submental region in 24 h and in the paw in all experimental times. In the paw there were also erythema and ulceration in 7 days, and alopecia after 21 days. At 21 days, a few animals also showed erythema and ulceration in paw; however, there was no significant difference from CG. Histological analysis of the paw showed an intense inflammatory process, with a predominance of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in 24 h and 7 days. In the adipose tissue, we observed loss of architecture and inflammatory infiltrate, followed with a lower number of adipose cells, and at 21 days, fibroplasia. In the submandibular glands we observed inflammatory infiltration, loss of tissue architecture, and fibrosis.DCA produces a significant inflammatory process in the structures. It can cause skin ulcerations and, in salivary glands, it causes loss of tissue architecture and fibrosis.There has been growing increase in the use of DCA for aesthetic purposes by health care providers. Due to the presence of important anatomical structures in the submental region, constant vigilance is required to report new adverse effects.