Neural regulation of blood flow in the rat submandibular gland

Blood flow in salivary glands is regulated mainly by sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activity. This study was carried out to determine the relative contributions of cholinergic, adrenergic and peptidergic neurotransmitters to the control of submandibular blood flow in the rat using laser-Doppler flowmetry. Parasympathetic impulses caused a rapid atropine-sensitive vasodilation followed by a maintained increase in blood flow, a portion of which remained in the presence of both atropine and L-NAME. In contrast, continuous sympathetic stimulation caused an intense vasoconstriction that was followed by a prolonged after-vasodilation. The same number of impulses delivered in bursts resulted in a cyclic vasoconstriction followed by a rapid vasodilation. Alpha-adrenoceptor blockade largely abolished the vasoconstriction, and the duration and magnitude of the after-vasodilation were reduced. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase by L-NAME reduced the vasodilation. The addition of a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist eliminated the sympathetic vasodilator response, but in the presence of complete alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blockade and L-NAME a small vasoconstriction remained. We conclude that the vasoconstrictor effects of sympathetic stimulation of the rat submandibular gland are due to alpha-adrenergic receptor activation and probably also NPY, and the vasodilator effects are due to NO and beta-adrenergic activity. Parasympathetic vasodilation was due to NO-independent mechanisms mediated by acetylcholine and substance P, and NO-dependent mechanisms mediated by VIP.

Protein secretion from rat submandibular acini and granular ducts: effects of exogenous VIP and substance P during parasympathetic nerve stimulation

The influences of exogenous vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P on the release of peroxidase from acini and true tissue kallikrein (rK1) from granular ducts of the rat submandibular gland were studied during continuous parasympathetic stimulation. Parasympathetic nerve impulses caused a moderate flow of saliva (mean +/- SD, 108+/-26 microl/g tissue/min) that had a low protein concentration (174+/-88 microg/ml). The outputs of peroxidase and rK1 were minimal (14.3+/-11.8 pmol DCF/g tissue/min and 6.5+/-3.4 nmol AFC/g tissue/min, respectively). When administered intravenously, VIP had no apparent effect on the overall flow rate, but caused a significant increase in the output of peroxidase; 450% at 1 microg/kg and a further 10-fold increase at 10 microg/kg. In contrast, substance P (1 microg/kg) evoked a marked increase in flow rate (68%), and peroxidase secretion increased only 3-fold. The output of rK1 was unaffected by either VIP or substance P. Our results support the hypothesis that acinar, but not granular duct, protein secretion is evoked by non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic peptides released from parasympathetic nerve terminals.

The enzymic potential of tissue kallikrein (rK1) in rat submandibular saliva depends on whether it was secreted via constitutive or regulated pathways

The enzymic activity and immunoreactivity of rat tissue kallikrein (rK1) secreted at rest by granular duct cells of unstimulated submandibular glands has been compared with that secreted on autonomic nerve stimulation. Although a direct vesicular, constitutive secretory pathway operates for rK1 secretion from granular duct cells of unstimulated and parasympathetically stimulated glands the rK1 was not present in a pro-form and actually showed a greater enzymic activity per unit immunoreactive protein than the granule-derived rK1 in sympathetically evoked saliva. Constitutively secreted rK1 was found to be in a single chain molecular form by reducing SDS gel electrophoresis. In contrast rK1 secreted from the storage granule pool of granular duct cells on sympathetic nerve stimulation was present in much higher amounts and occurred in both one-chain and two-chain forms as revealed by SDS gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. The lower enzymic potential of rK1 in sympathetically evoked saliva might be accounted for by its conversion to a two-chain form.

Use of a cast spreader during reoperative sternotomy

We report a modified use for an old tool: separation of the sternal edges during repeat sternotomy with a cast spreader. We have found that this technique improves our exposure, causes no trauma to bone, and minimizes the risk of damage to underlying mediastinal structures.

Secretory interactions between the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervations of the submandibular gland in the anaesthetized cat

Interactions between the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervations of the submandibular gland have been investigated in the anaesthetized cat. At low frequencies of chorda lingual (parasympathetic) stimulation, simultaneous stimulation of the ascending cervical sympathetic nerve in bursts (20 Hz for 1 s at 10 s intervals) increased the flow of submandibular saliva, but the effect was never more than additive. The output of protein was consistently reduced by simultaneous stimulation of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervations, below that evoked by stimulation of either alone. Sympathetic stimulation was more effective than parasympathetic stimulation in promoting the secretion of tissue kallikrein and peroxidase in the submandibular saliva. The output of the latter enzyme, in response to sympathetic stimulation, was significantly reduced by simultaneous stimulation of the parasympathetic innervation at frequencies greater than 1 Hz, but nevertheless exceeded the amount secreted during chorda stimulation alone. Thus, this protocol provided no evidence of synergy between the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system with respect to any submandibular secretory function that was recorded. However, following the administration of a small dose of atropine (2-15 micrograms kg-1 i.v.), sufficient to block secretion during chorda stimulation alone, the flow of saliva, in response to sympathetic stimulation, was potentiated when superimposed on a background of parasympathetic stimulation at all frequencies that were employed. This effect was abolished by larger doses of atropine, indicating that it was dependent upon activation of muscarinic receptors, only some of which could have been blocked by the initial dose.

Exocytosis from rat submandibular granular tubules during cyclocytidine stimulation shows unusual features, including changes in the granule membrane

Sequential secretory changes in granular tubule cells caused by the secretagogue cyclocytidine (75 mg/kg i.p.) were studied at the ultrastructural level, in perfusion (n = 5 animals) and immersion (n = 8 animals) fixed rat submandibular glands, using the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate technique (PA-TCH-SP). The onset of secretion varied from 45 to 75 minutes after administering the cyclocytidine. During the initial stages of overt secretion, structural changes occurred irregularly in a progressive fashion with: (1) an increase in granule membrane staining with PA-TCH-SP and a parallel alignment of the secretory granules with the adjacent apical plasma membrane, which developed a honeycomb-like appearance; (2) docking of these secretory granules to the apical plasma membrane; (3) early secretion of some secretory granules in a semiclassical exocytotic fashion (but this was rarely witnessed). During stages (1) and (2), the cytochemical characteristics of the membrane of the secretory granules, as well as of the plasma membrane, suggest a priming process is occurring. After these initial preparatory phases, further structural changes occurred in the granule membranes with a gradually progressive formation of microvesicles and granule fusions; secretion continued in an explosive manner with proteinaceous material being transferred to lumina in at least three different ways: (1) by typical exocytosis (but it was infrequent); (2) from granules fused intracellularly into aggregates (compound exocytosis); and (3) some apocrine-type of secretion through bleb formation. The formation of these intracellular aggregations was associated with the microvesicles in the granule membranes and some aggregates became very large. Secretion of their contents into lumina occurred through elongated membrane channels. The material secreted included microvesicular forms that had become interiorised in the granular aggregates, and any cytoplasm that may also have been entrapped.

Sequential secretion of rat submandibular kallikrein and peroxidase during intermittent sympathetic stimulation

Secretion of peroxidase from acinar cells, true tissue kallikrein (rK1) from granular tubules and total protein have been assessed in sequential samples of rat submandibular saliva formed during intermittent periods of sympathetic stimulation in bursts of 50 Hz 1 s every 10 s at 5 V, for 1 or 2 min each with 2 min intervals between periods. This protocol was repeated twice after 1 h rest pauses. The salivary flow remained greater throughout than when using ongoing burst stimulation. Protein secretion was considerable in the first 2 samples (1 min followed by 2 min) reaching the remarkable concentration of 285 +/- 14.4 mg/ml, then it gradually decreased with little recovery after 1 h pauses. rK1 outputs followed a similar pattern. Peroxidase, however, showed no greater output in initial samples and continued steadily in similar amounts throughout. When intermittent stimulations were used for 1 sequence only (total stimulation time = 9 min) the glands showed 84 +/- 2.6% depletion of rK1 compared to the control glands. A correspondingly large depletion of granules occurred from the granular tubules on the stimulated side, which was greater than with ongoing burst stimulation for 1 h (Garrett et al., 1991). Thus, secretion of rK1 from the granules in granular tubules occurs most efficiently with short sharp bursts of high frequency sympathetic stimulation but soon diminishes. In contrast, peroxidase secretion from acinar cells continues steadily and more modestly for long periods of time undiminished.

Glycosylation of secretory proteins in salivary glands and saliva studied by lectin-probes

Lectin-probes were used histochemically to study glycosylation patterns in prepackaged secretory material in cat and rat submandibular glands and to assess the secretory changes induced by nerve stimulations. The same probes were also used for correlative biochemical assessments of the constituents in glandular extracts and in saliva from the same experiments, after electrophoretic separations and immobilization on nitrocellulose membranes. These studies provided a broader understanding than the use of either procedure alone. Lectin binding patterns in saliva were more complex than anticipated from the histochemistry and this probably relates to the presence of different constituents in secretory granules and a greater availability of binding sites biochemically. In cats, parasympathetic stimulation caused depletion of lectin staining in acini and to some extent in demilunes, whereas sympathetic stimulation caused depletion of lectin binding in striated ducts and reduction in demilunar size. Biochemically after SDS-PAGE of saliva similar secretory effects were observed but each nerve also evoked some secretion from the cells not showing histochemical change. In rats, sympathetic stimulation caused depletion of lectin positive granules from both acini and granular tubules. After SDS-PAGE of the saliva one zone of lectin binding 94-150 kD (Mr) was identified as acinar mucin. Granular tubule proteins consisting mainly of kallikreins occurred in a zone 25-35 kD (Mr) and lectin bindings suggested that different kallikreins may be differently glycosylated. This unexpected possibility was confirmed on slot-blot preparations of separated kallikreins, which also revealed the novel finding that some kallikreins are O- as well as N-glycosylated.

Apical secretion of rat submandibular tissue kallikrein continues in the absence of external stimulation: evidence for a constitutive secretory pathway

Sequential samples of saliva evoked by low frequency parasympathetic nerve stimulation were collected from cannulated submandibular ducts of anaesthetized rats following periods of varying length without stimulation. After such rest periods the first samples of saliva were found to contain much higher levels of tissue kallikrein (rK1) activity and protein than the ensuing samples from the same stimulation period and the latter contained levels similar to those found previously in parasympathetically evoked saliva rK1 activity in first samples increased with the length of the preceding interval, indicating that a continuous secretion of rK1 occurs from ductal cells into glandular lumina and accumulates there in the absence of stimulation or fluid secretion. The protein secretory pattern following rest pauses was unaffected by alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade and a high percentage of the proteinase activity was resistant to soya bean trypsin inhibitor, showing that the secretion was not caused by exocytosis of storage granules from ductal cells and therefore was likely to be a result of a constitutive secretion of newly synthesized enzyme. The pattern of continuous secretion into lumina detected for total protein in the absence of stimulation, suggests that other secretory proteins may also be secreted similarly but at different rates.

Peroxidase and kallikrein in atropine-resistant secretion of submandibular saliva on parasympathetic nerve stimulation in anaesthetized rats

Flow of submandibular saliva and the constituents secreted during chorda-lingual nerve stimulation at 40 Hz (3 x 10 min) were studied after alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade, and in the absence (control) or presence of cholinergic blockade in anaesthetized rats. Peroxidase and true tissue kallikrein (rK1) were assessed to gain insight into the effects of the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) transmitters on protein secretion by acini and granular tubules, respectively. From control glands there was an overall mean flow of 181 +/- 15 microliters g-1 min-1, with no significant differences between the three periods. Secretion from atropinized glands was approximately 20% of that from control glands in the first 10 min, decreasing progressively to approximately 6% in the final period. Protein outputs from control glands showed no significant differences for the three periods (0.23 +/- 0.05 mg g-1 min-1). Protein outputs from atropinized glands were similar to controls in the first 10 min and then decreased significantly. Peroxidase output from control glands increased progressively (from 31 +/- 7 to 243 +/- 68 pmol dichlorofluorescein (DCF) g-1 min-1) but in saliva from atropinized glands the overall mean output was only 4.5 +/- 0.8 pmol DCF min-1 ml-1, with a progressive decrease between samples. Outputs of rK1 from control glands were similar for all samples (20.6 +/- 4.0 nmol AFC g-1 min-1), but there was a significantly smaller and decreasing output of rK1 from atropinized glands. In conclusion, NANC transmitters released from parasympathetic nerves during stimulation at high frequency appear to have little influence on the secretion of protein from rat submandibular acini and granular tubule cells when acting in isolation. This contrasts with their effects on amylase secretion from rat parotid glands under similar circumstances.

Use of lectin-probes for correlative histochemical and biochemical assessments of the glycosylation patterns of secretory proteins, including kallikreins, in salivary glands and saliva

Labelled lectins were used as probes to study the glycosylation and secretion of submandibular glycoproteins not only in sections of fixed glands but also in glandular extracts and in nerve-induced saliva, after electrophoretic separations and immobilization in nitrocellulose membranes. In cats the glycoproteins in sympathetic saliva differed considerably from those in parasympathetic saliva. In sympathetic saliva they were found to originate mainly from striated ducts, to some extent from demilunar cells and to a small extent from acinar cells, whereas in parasympathetic saliva they arose mainly from acinar cells and demilunes and only to a small extent from striated ducts. In rat submandibular glands sympathetic stimulation caused extensive depletion of lectin stainable granules from granular tubules. Corresponding strong binding occurred with the same lectins to constituents in saliva that ran between 25 and 35 kD on SDS gel electrophoresis and were shown to contain tissue kallikreins. Their binding patterns suggested that individual kallikreins from the same gland may be glycosylated in different ways. This possibility was tested on five different kallikreins after separation from submandibular extracts by isoelectric focussing. Lectin bindings on slot blot preparations of these kallikreins were tested before and after N-glycosidase F, sialidase or endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase digestions. Results showed that, despite their close genetic and structural similarities, the kallikreins are in fact differently sialylated and fucosylated and the novel finding that some contain O-glycosidically linked side chains as well as the anticipated N-glycosidically linked side chains was revealed. Thus, correlative histochemical and biochemical assessments of bindings with lectin probes has provided important new information about differences in the glycosylation patterns of individual glycoproteins stored within the same secretory granules.

Apical secretion of rat submandibular tissue kallikrein continues in the absence of external stimulation: evidence for a constitutive secretory pathway

Sequential samples of saliva evoked by low frequency parasympathetic nerve stimulation were collected from cannulated submandibular ducts of anaesthetized rats following periods of varying length without stimulation. After such rest periods the first samples of saliva were found to contain much higher levels of tissue kallikrein (rK1) activity and protein than the ensuing samples from the same stimulation period and the latter contained levels similar to those found previously in parasympathetically-evoked saliva. rK1 activity in first samples increased with the length of the preceding interval, indicating that a continuous secretion of rK1 occurs from ductal cells into glandular lumina and accumulates there in the absence of stimulation or fluid secretion. The protein secretory pattern following rest pauses was unaffected by alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade and a high percentage of the proteinase activity was resistant to soya bean trypsin inhibitor, showing that the secretion was not caused by exocytosis of storage granules from ductal cells and therefore was likely to be a result of a constitutive secretion of newly synthesized enzyme. The pattern of continuous secretion into lumina detected for total protein in the absence of stimulation, suggests that other secretory proteins may also be secreted similarly but at different rates.

Differences in the glycosylation of rat submandibular kallikreins

The glycosylations of five different rat submandibular kallikreins, rK1, rK2, rK7, rK9 and rK10, vacuum-blotted onto nitrocellulose membranes, have been studied by means of labelled lectins using enhanced chemiluminescence detection. The results demonstrated the individual submandibular kallikreins are not heavily glycosylated in rats, but consistently show different patterns of glycosylation. Following digestion of slot-blotted enzymes with peptide-N-glycosidase F (PNGase): binding by lectin from Lens culinaris (alpha Man-directed) was abolished, whilst that of lectin from Maclura pomifera (Gal beta 1,3GalNAc-directed) persisted (but could be abolished by periodate oxidation and endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase digestion), revealing that there are O- as well as N-linked sugar chains on the kallikreins; a novel observation for this family of enzymes. The presence of GalNAc in addition to GlcNAc, Fuc, Gal, and Man, in sugar chains of rK1 was confirmed by high pH anion exchange chromatography following acid hydrolysis. Different intensities of binding by lectin from Limax flavus (NeuNAc-directed) suggest that sialylation of individual kallikreins differs, whilst sialidase and PNGase digestions suggest that sialic acid is the terminal residue of some N-linked but not O-linked structures.

Differential secretion of proteins by rat submandibular acini and granular ducts on graded autonomic nerve stimulations

1. The influence of graded parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve stimulations on the secretion of protein from rat submandibular gland was studied. Peroxidase was used as a marker for the acini and rat tissue kallikrein (official nomenclature rK1) as the marker for granular ducts. Tonin (rK2) was also measured, and the ratio of rK2:rK1 was calculated as an indication of the cellular route of secretion. 2. Continuous parasympathetic nerve stimulation caused a copious flow of saliva that had a low protein content. The secretion of peroxidase (acini) showed a gradual moderate increase as the frequency increased. However, the concentrations of rK1 and rK2 (granular ducts) showed little change throughout, and the ratio of rK2:rK1 remained relatively constant. 3. Graded sympathetic stimulation was applied against a background of parasympathetic stimulation. Secretion of peroxidase was increased by the addition of 0.1 Hz continuous sympathetic stimulation. The amount increased thereafter up to 2 Hz, but showed no further increase if the stimulation was applied as bursts of 10 or 20 Hz. In comparison, the secretion of proteinase activity showed little change with superimposed continuous sympathetic stimulation, and the rK2:rK1 ratio was similar to that in saliva produced by parasympathetic stimulation alone. Sympathetic stimulation applied in bursts, however, caused a large increase in the secretion of proteinase activity, and with 20 Hz burst stimulation the rK2:rK1 ratio was indistinguishable from that of sympathetic saliva per se. There was an augmented secretion of both peroxidase and kallikrein when 20 Hz burst stimulation was combined with parasympathetic stimulation. The effects of sympathetic stimulation were abolished by alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blockade.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influences of secretory activities in rat submandibular glands on tissue kallikrein circulating in the blood

Changes in serum levels of rat tissue kallikrein (rK1) in venous blood were measured, using a newly developed radioimmunoassay, before and after autonomic nerve stimulations of submandibular salivary secretion. rK1 secreted into saliva under these conditions was measured by radioimmunoassay and by enzymic activity assay, using the fluorogenic peptide substrate D-Val-Leu-Arg-7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (AFC). Following an overnight fast, serum rK1 concentration was 30-40 ng ml-1. Unilateral electrical stimulation of the submandibular sympathetic nerve supply (at 50 Hz in bursts of 1 s every 10 s for 60 min) evoked a small flow of saliva with a very high rK1 concentration, resulting in a large output of rK1 of 2104.4 +/- 603.5 micrograms (n = 6). Such stimulation caused a large degranulation of granular duct cells and a corresponding reduction in glandular rK1 content. Unilateral electrical stimulation of the parasympathetic nerve supply (at 5 Hz continuously for 60 min) evoked a copious flow of saliva with a very low rK1 concentration, resulting in a low output of rK1 (18.1 +/- 4.9 micrograms; n = 6). Despite these large differences in salivary outputs of rK1, serum concentrations of rK1 were increased similarly following either sympathetic or parasympathetic stimulation by 48 and 46%, respectively. If the submandibular duct was briefly obstructed during sympathetic stimulation, inducing leakage and glandular oedema, then serum rK1 increased greatly (40-fold); a similar increase to that seen by others in previous studies without deliberate obstruction. Four days after bilateral submandibular-sublingual sialadenectomy serum rK1 concentration was reduced by approximately 50%. The results indicate that submandibular glands normally contribute to circulating levels of rK1 in rats, but this contribution is independent of the amounts of rK1 secreted into saliva by sympathetically induced exocytosis, and is likely to arise from basal vesicular transport. However, if glandular leakage occurs during sympathetic stimulation of submandibular secretion this then causes increases in the circulating levels of rK1 that correlate with the large amounts being secreted into saliva.

Use of lectin probes on tissues and sympathetic saliva to study the glycoproteins secreted by rat submandibular glands

We used a panel of nine lectins to detect the glycosylation patterns of rat submandibular glycoproteins. Binding of lectins was assessed on tissue sections and on Western blots of electrophoretically separated glycoproteins from glandular extracts or sympathetic saliva. Histochemical staining of tissue sections showed that two lectins (DBA and SBA) with affinity for terminal GalNAc residues were localized specifically to acinar cells. In contrast, LTA and UEA-I (alpha Fuc-directed) and LFA (NeuAc-directed) bound exclusively to granular tubule cells. PNA and MPA (beta Gal-directed), LCA (alpha Man- and alpha Glc-directed), WGA (beta GlcNAc- and NeuAc-directed), and sWGA (beta GlcNAc-directed) bound to both acinar and granular tubule cells. On electroblot preparations, LFA, PNA, WGA, DBA, and SBA reacted with high molecular weight acinar mucin components both in glandular extracts and in saliva. LTA, UEA-I, LFA, PNA, MPA, LCA, WGA, sWGA, and DBA bound to lower molecular weight bands on blots known to contain granular tubular proteinases. Lectin binding to acini and granular tubules was reduced in sections and in most bands from glandular extracts after sympathetic nerve stimulation. Our results show that (a) secretory glycoproteins from rat submandibular acinar cells are non-fucosylated and contain abundant alpha GalNAc and NeuAc and a small proportion of beta Gal in their oligosaccharide side chains, and (b) alpha Fuc, NeuAc, beta Gal, and alpha GalNAc form the major carbohydrate moieties of the secretory glycoproteins from granular tubules. The results confirm the considerable potential of lectin probes for studying glycoproteins in secretions and in their cells of origin.

The fate of glycogen in granular tubule cells of rat submandibular glands during secretory events

Glycogen, studied electron microscopically in granular tubule cells by means of the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinase technique, was found to be scattered abundantly throughout the cytoplasm. Parasympathetic nerve stimulation caused no detectable change in the glycogen. Degranulation of the granular tubule cells after either sympathetic nerve stimulation or cyclocytidine injection caused loss of the glycogen from the cells. Study of tubule cells undergoing secretion in the early stages after cyclocytidine injection indicated that glycogenolysis was occurring. Glycogen had reaccumulated in the cells within 24 h, before extensive reformation of the secretory granules had occurred, and remained abundant throughout the subsequent granule formation. It is concluded that glycogen provides an important source of energy during secretory degranulation of the granular tubule cells.

The effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on norepinephrine and cholinergic enzyme activities in rat parotid and submandibular glands

Autonomic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, and both morphological and physiological data suggest that salivary gland function in diabetic rats is affected by neuropathies involving sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. Therefore, glandular levels of the adrenergic neurotransmitter, norepinephrine (NE) and two cholinergic enzymes, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were investigated in 6-month streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Significant, but variable, increases in total parotid NE (ng/gland) were observed in diabetic rats, whereas total submandibular NE was lower in diabetic animals than in controls. However, on a ng/mg tissue basis, NE levels in both the parotid gland, and less dramatically, in the submandibular gland were increased. Somewhat different results were observed for AChE and ChAT. AChE was marginally greater in the parotid glands of diabetic rats, whereas AChE and ChAT levels were significantly lower in diabetic than control submandibular glands. Expressed as enzymatic activity per mg tissue, submandibular gland ChAT, but not AChE, was increased. Short-term (3-day) insulin treatment of diabetic animals had no significant effects on total NE, AChE or ChAT in the parotid gland, but led to a further reduction in submandibular ChAT. With regard to function, changes in AChE appeared to be correlated with previously reported morphological assessments of parotid gland innervation in diabetic animals. Thus, the decreased response of the parotid gland in diabetic rats to parasympathetic stimulation may be related in part to the increase in AChE.

Morphological effects of diabetes on the granular ducts and acini of the rat submandibular gland

Effects of experimental diabetes on rat submandibular glands have been documented, but earlier reports suggested that diabetes caused an extensive cellular degeneration and a replacement of the parenchymal cells by fibrous connective tissue. Such observations, however, are difficult to reconcile with the relatively normal physiological responsiveness of the gland (Anderson and Suleiman, 1989). This study, therefore, reexamined the histological, histochemical and ultrastructural effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on rat submandibular glands. The tissues were examined at 3 weeks, and 3 and 6 months after the induction of diabetes, and compared with glands from age-matched controls by both light and electron microscopy. Light microscopically, the proportional volumes of the acini and granular ducts remained constant in control rats at about 48% and 38% respectively. In diabetic animals the volume density of the acini increased progressively to 62%, whereas that of the granular ducts decreased to 20%. The diameter and number of granular ducts were reduced in diabetic animals, but acinar cell profile area was only affected 6 months after the induction of diabetes. Ultrastructurally, there was an accumulation of lipid in the acinar cells and, with increasing duration of diabetes, the number of autophagic structures in both the acini and the granular ducts increased. Although there was evidence of some cellular degeneration it was never excessive. Morphometry showed that the volume density of secretory granules within the acinar cells was unaffected, but there was a significant reduction in the volume density of secretory granules within the granular ducts. Thus, in the rat submandibular gland the greatest effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes was to cause hypotrophic changes in the cells of the granular ducts. The relative contributions of a direct effect of insulin insufficiency and the hypogonadal effects of diabetes, however, are not known.

In vivo secretory responses of submandibular glands in streptozotocin-diabetic rats to sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve stimulation

Submandibular gland responses to sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve stimulation were studied in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Morphologically, the acinar cells in control glands were relatively uniform in size and contained electron-lucent granules. The granular ducts were distinguished by the presence of electron-dense granules. With the exception of intracellular lipid droplets and the presence of a few autophagosomes in diabetic glands, no consistent differences in acinar cell structure were observed. In contrast, the diameter of the granular ducts and the granule content of their cells were less in diabetic glands. At 3 weeks sympathetic flow rate, salivary protein concentration, and total protein output were unaffected by diabetes. Sympathetic flow rate was greater at 3 months, and the concentration of protein in the saliva was lower. In 6-month diabetic rats flow rate remained increased, but protein concentration and total protein output were reduced. The decrease in salivary protein concentration at 3 and 6 months was accompanied by a reduction in secretory granule release from acinar and granular duct cells. No consistent differences in flow rate, protein concentration, protein output, or secretory granule release were observed following parasympathetic stimulation. We conclude that the effects of diabetes on nerve-stimulated flow rate and protein release depend on the duration of diabetes and the type of stimulation, and are independent of one another.

The effects of obstruction and secretory stimulation on microlithiasis in salivary glands of cat: light and electron microscopy

Obstruction and increased secretory activity are considered to be important aetiological factors of salivary microlithiasis, which may itself be an aetiological factor of sialadenitis. However, there is a lack of substantial evidence for the importance of obstruction, and investigations on increased secretory activity used pathological doses of pharmacological agents. Therefore further investigation of these factors is essential. Feline parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands, in which microliths occur normally as in man, were examined after ductal ligation to produce obstruction, electrical stimulation of the glandular nerves to produce increased secretory activity, or both. Microliths were detected in: 0 out of 38 untreated, 1 out of 55 ligated, 2 out of 17 stimulated and 2 out of 17 stimulated ligated submandibular glands; 6 out of 29 untreated, 7 out of 46 ligated, 3 out of 12 stimulated and 4 out of 14 stimulated ligated sublingual glands; and no parotid glands. The chi 2 test confirmed that the experimental procedures did not produce an increased occurrence of microliths. Microliths were detected in parenchymal cells, intercellularly in atrophic parenchyma, intraluminally, interstitially and in macrophages. The present investigation indicates that obstruction and increased secretory activity are not important aetiological factors of salivary microlithiasis.

Asynchronous reformation of individual kallikrein-related secretory proteinases in rat submandibular glands following degranulation by cyclocytidine

Time scales for the reformation of the secretory granules in granular tubules and their constituent proteinases were assessed after inducing a massive degranulation by intraperitoneal injection of cyclocytidine in conscious animals. The minimum working dose of cyclocytidine to produce the maximum degranulation and depletion of proteinase activity, at 3 h after injection, was 75 mg/kg. Histologically, although most granular tubule cells then appeared to be extensively degranulated, isolated individual cells showing little or no degranulation always persisted. Acinar cells also showed some depletion of secretory material. At 15 h after injecting cyclocytidine the formation of new granules had begun in the granular tubule cells, but it was not extensive or uniform in adjacent cells; however, the acinar cells already appeared to be regranulated. The pattern of granule reformation in granular tubule cells progressed gradually, so that 7-10 days after cyclocytidine-induced degranulation the cells were mostly packed with granules and showed similar appearances to those of normal resting control glands. Individual proteinases in extracts of the glands were assayed specifically using fluorogenic oligopeptide amidase substrates, with and without appropriate inhibitors. This revealed a 95% reduction in total proteinase activity 3 h after cyclocytidine (75 mg/kg). In the same extracts, acinar peroxidase was reduced by 28%. Peroxidase levels recovered to control values within 15 h after cyclocytidine but recovery of proteinases progressed more gradually and did not occur uniformly for the different constituent proteinases. Tissue kallikrein (rK1) showed the most rapid recovery and had reached levels approaching normal within 3 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)