Age-related changes in the cellular level of amylase and protein synthesis in the rat parotid gland

Amylase and lipase levels in the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes: A longitudinal study in rhesus monkeys

Latent associations between low serum amylase and reduced plasma insulin levels and increased adiposity have been described previously in a small study of asymptomatic middle-aged humans. In the present study, we sought to determine the nature of such changes during the longitudinal progression from metabolically normal to overt type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in nonhuman primates (NHPs), a disease that appears to be the same in both pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms as that which most commonly develops in middle-aged adult humans. Amylase and lipase levels were characterized in 157 unrelated adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta); 38% developed T2DM while under study. In all monkeys, multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that amylase could be negatively predicted by % body fat (β -0.29; p = 0.002), age (β -0.27; p = 0.005), and HbA1c (β -0.18; p = 0.037). Amylase levels were positively predicted by lipase levels (β = 0.19; p = -0.024) in all NHPs included in the study. Amylase was significantly lower in NHPs with metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001), prediabetes (PreDM) (p < 0.001), and T2DM (p < 0.001) compared to metabolically normal adult NHPs. Lipase increased in NHPs with PreDM (p = 0.005) and T2DM (p = 0.04) compared to normal NHPs. This is the first longitudinal study of any species, including humans, to show the dynamics of amylase and lipase during the metabolic progression from normal to metabolic syndrome, to PreDM and then to overt T2DM. The extraordinary similarity between humans and monkeys in T2DM, in pancreatic pathophysiology and in metabolic functions give these findings high translational value.

Effects of ageing on morphology, amylase release, cytosolic Ca2+ signals and acyl lipids in isolated rat parotid gland tissue

Xerostomia (oral dryness sensation) is due to dryness of the oral cavity and it is more prevalent in the elderly. This study investigated the effect of ageing on parotid gland structure and function of control (2-6 months) and aged (12, 16-18 and 22-24 months) rats employing light microscopic, colorimetric, gas chromatographic and microspectrofluorimetric methods to investigate the morphological changes of the parotid glands, amylase release, endogenous lipid distribution and cytosolic free calcium levels, respectively. When compared to controls, age-related changes were apparent in glands obtained from rats aged 16-18 and 22-24 months, which included reduced acinar cell distribution, enlarged parotid ducts with fatty and connective tissue and mast cell infiltrations. Parotid acini from 12, 16-18 and 22-24-month-old glands showed significant (p < 0.05) age-related decreases in amylase release, compared to controls when challenged with acetylcholine (ACh). No change in basal calcium signals was observed in parotid acini from 2-6 to 16-18-month-old-animals. However, stimulation of 16-18-month-old parotid acini with 10(-5)M ACh resulted in a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in both peak and plateau phases of the cytosolic Ca2+ signal when compared to control. Gas chromatography of de novo and essential acyl lipids revealed no changes in the amount of either acyl lipid group in glands obtained from 2-6 to 22-24-month-old animals. Lipid analysis of phospholipid associated acyl chains showed a higher relative proportion of linoleic acid in older glands. The results reveal that ageing is associated with marked and distinct morphological changes including infiltrations of lipids and mast cells of the parotid gland and decreases in amylase release and cytosolic Ca2+ signals.

Structural and functional changes in salivary glands during aging

Various salivary glands in senescent humans and other animals have been examined extensively to characterize the structural and functional changes that occur during aging. Although a wide range of different structural changes, involving both the parenchymal and stromal tissues, have been described, it is unclear how any of these changes affects the function of the salivary glands. One major change in structure is the reduction in the volume of acini with a concomitant increase in the ductal volume. Despite this loss of functional acini, the salivary output and the contents seem to be unaltered, or minimally altered, due to aging. One consistent change observed in many salivary glands of aged animals is the decline in the rate of synthesis of proteins and their messenger RNA (mRNA). However, the salivary acinar cells from aged animals can synthesize secretory proteins at an elevated rate just as effectively as those from their younger counterparts in response to external stimuli, which are known to enhance the rate of protein synthesis. Thus, it appears that the salivary acinar cells, which remain structurally intact during aging, seem to retain their functional efficiency. Furthermore, these acinar cells, although reduced in number, are sufficient in quantity to carry out most of the salivary gland functions.

Amylase mRNA synthesis and ageing in rat parotid glands following isoproterenol-stimulated secretion

In the parotid, as well as in other exocrine glands, secretory protein synthesis declines with age. However, whether this decline in the steady-state rate of protein synthesis reflects the reduced digestive activity of the animal or actual cellular alterations that affect synthesis is unknown. Here the ability to synthesize amylase and its mRNA during the period of enhanced protein synthesis following secretion induced by isoproterenol was compared in acinar cells of 2-and 24-month-old rats. In unstimulated glands, rates of synthesis of total protein and amylase, as well as amounts of amylase mRNA, were significantly less in the older rats than in their younger counterparts. After stimulation with isoproterenol, which induced the secretion of about 50% of stored proteins, rates of synthesis of total protein, as well as amylase, were increased by about 2.5 x the unstimulated rates in both age groups. However, the amount of amylase mRNA did not increase in parallel with the increase in the rate of amylase protein synthesis in both young and old rats. The molecular size of the mRNA was the same in stimulated and unstimulated glands of both age groups. Thus, it appears that parotid acinar cells from old rats can be stimulated to synthesize secretory proteins at an increased rate. It remains to be determined what causes the reduced rate of protein synthesis in unstimulated glands in old rats.

A biochemical analysis of parotid and submandibular salivary gland function with age after simultaneous stimulation with pilocarpine and isoproterenol in female NIA Fischer 344 rats

This analysis of physiological, biochemical and molecular changes related to aging was made in 3-, 12- and 24-month-old rats. The salivary gland weight/body weight ratio and the structural membrane proteins did not change with age for either gland, but a significant age-related decline in DNA synthesis for both glands was detected, unrelated to the hormonal responsiveness at the level of the plasma membrane. There was a marked increase in the concentration of soluble proteins in adolescent parotid gland and, for the two older age groups, in submandibular gland. The saliva flow rate was different when expressed as volume per time, as volume per time and g glandular wet weight, and/or kg body weight. The concentration of secreted proteins was not affected by age in either gland. The total amount of proteins secreted over 30 min revealed no age-related perturbation for the parotid gland, but showed a significant age-related increase in submandibular saliva. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel analysis revealed changes in the protein bands between 39 and 50 kDa in the Coomassie blue-stained gels from 12-month-old animals. Amylase showed an initial increase (12 months), followed by a marked decline in its activity in parotid saliva. The glandular supernatant had low residual cellular amylase activity after stimulation. Therefore, secretory impairment with age after pilocarpine-isoproterenol stimulation was excluded. Analysis of total RNA showed a pronounced decrease of amylase mRNA in the parotid gland between 12 and 24 months of age. No amylase mRNA was expressed in any of the submandibular samples. For epidermal growth factor, total saliva showed a decrease with age. It seemed that the submandibular gland followed the same picture with age as the parotid gland, with a specific decline in the biosynthesis of single secretory proteins.

Age-related changes in mucins from human whole saliva

The predominant mucins in human whole saliva, MG1 and MG2, serve to protect and to lubricate the oral cavity. In this study, both unstimulated and stimulated whole salivas were collected from two groups of subjects: young (18-35 years of age) and aged (65-83 years of age). The subjects were in apparent good health. Saliva samples from each subject were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The gels were stained with Stains-all, and both MG1 and MG2 were quantitated by video-image densitometry. The protocol gave reproducible values for each mucin. The stimulated and unstimulated salivas from aged subjects showed significant reductions in concentrations of both MG1 and MG2, as quantitated in mucin dye-binding units. Possible associations of these reductions with the aging process are discussed.

Effects of age on diabetes- and insulin-induced changes in pancreatic levels of alpha-amylase and its mRNA

During aging, protein synthesis undergoes decremental changes in many organs and tissues. In the pancreas, as well as in other exocrine glands, the rate of protein synthesis declines with age. However, it is unknown whether this decline is related to intrinsic aging changes which affect the secretory cell function. In this study, we compared the ability of pancreatic acinar cells to synthesize amylase and its messenger RNA (mRNA) in response to insulin treatment of young and old rats rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ). In STZ-induced diabetic rats, amylase protein and its mRNA levels were reduced drastically in the pancreas of young and old groups. Injections of these diabetic rats with insulin increased pancreatic amylase mRNA contents significantly in both young and old rats. Insulin also increased proportions of amylase protein synthesis in the pancreas of both age groups. These results indicate that the pancreatic cells remain effective during aging in their transcriptional activity for functional amylase mRNA in response to an exogenous stimulus of insulin.

Effects of diabetes and insulin on alpha-amylase messenger RNA levels in rat parotid glands

Previous studies have shown that amylase levels are reduced significantly in the pancreas and parotid gland of diabetic rats and that insulin reverses this effect and increases the secretory protein levels. In the pancreas, these changes in amylase protein levels are accompanied by parallel changes in amylase mRNA levels. In the present study, the effects of diabetes and subsequent insulin treatments on contents (per cell) of amylase protein and its mRNA in parotid glands were compared in rats rendered diabetic with an injection of a beta-cell toxin, streptozotocin (STZ). Both amylase protein and its mRNA contents were reduced significantly in diabetic rats, compared with control rats, and this reduction was reversed following insulin injections of diabetic rats. In insulin-injected diabetic rats, amylase protein contents increased before a detectable increase in amylase mRNA levels was seen. The mRNA contents of a non-secretory protein, actin, did not change during diabetogenesis or subsequent insulin treatments. The reductions in parotid contents of amylase and its mRNA in diabetic rats and the reversal of these changes by insulin are similar to those changes that occur in the pancreas under the same conditions. However, the magnitude of these changes in parotid glands was much smaller than in the pancreas, and the effect of insulin on amylase mRNA synthesis was not as immediate as in the latter gland.

Protein secretion by rat submandibular glands in response to isoproterenol, alpha-methylnoradrenaline and clonidine during aging

Changes in salivary volumes and the three types of proteins secreted by the submandibular salivary gland (SMG) of male rats at 3.5, 5.5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21 and 24 months of age in response to the beta 1-, alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, isoproterenol (IPR), alpha-methylnoradrenaline (alpha-mNA) and clonidine (Clonid), were studied and compared by measuring the weight and by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis with the Phast System on both the gradient pH 3.5-5 and 3.5-9 gels with silver staining. A protein (protein A, tentatively termed in this study) purified by FPLC from saliva elicited by IPR was also analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the immuno-thermoblotting method, carbohydrate determination and neuraminidase treatment. Unexpected findings were observed that salivary volumes, but not the protein concentration, were substantially increased by Clonid-, but not IPR-, stimulation with ages up to 24 months of age and that the three types of proteins elicited by each agonist were different during aging. The gamma-type of proteins elicited by Clonid was not greatly changed during aging, whereas several proteins at about neutral pI in the alpha-type, elicited by alpha-mNA, at 5.5 to 21 months of age and a protein A in the beta-type, elicited by IPR, at 13 to 24 months of age were greatly increased. This protein A without any carbohydrate and sialic acid, located only in the acinar cells, but not in any duct system, had a molecular weight of 16,000 and a pI of 4.05. We conclude that the secretory function of the SMG in the aged animals is in general little changed.

Changes with senescence in the fine structure of the granular convoluted tubule of the submandibular gland of the mouse

Cells of the granular convoluted tubules (GCTs) of the submandibular gland of senescent male mice show structural changes indicative of functional decline. In order to define the nature of these age-related changes more clearly, the fine structure of GCT cells of 12- and 28-month-old males was compared. In old mice, there was cell-to-cell variation in the extent of these changes, with some cells of senescent males appearing no different from those of young adults. In affected cells the most striking alterations were seen in secretion granules and lysosomal elements. Secretion granules varied greatly in size, with some GCT cells having only very fine apical granules. Secondary lysosomes and large lipofuscin granules were frequent in the basal cytoplasm. Very large dense bodies (3-5 micron) occurred in many cells. These possibly represent intracellular pools of released secretory materials, as they were occasionally seen in continuity with the luminal contents. Structures whose appearance was intermediate between the very large dense bodies and lipofuscin granules were common, suggesting crinophagic activity. There was an apparent decrease in numbers of polysomes and in the extent of the Golgi apparatus. These fine structural changes are consistent with impairments with advanced age in synthesis and posttranslational processing of secretory products by affected GCT cells. In addition to cell-to-cell variation in any one male, there was also interanimal variation in the degree and extent of these senescent changes.

Protein synthesis and amylase messenger RNA content in rat parotid salivary glands after total or partial stimulation with isoproterenol

The rate of synthesis of secretory proteins increases significantly in rat parotid glands after stimulated discharge of stored proteins. How any difference in the amount of secretory protein discharge affects the rate of subsequent protein synthesis, and whether this post-secretory synthesis is regulated at the level of messenger RNA, was now examined. One group of rats was stimulated to secrete 97% of stored secretory proteins by an intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol. The other group received a much smaller dose to induce the discharge of about 40% of the proteins. Despite this difference in secretion, the subsequent rates of total protein synthesis, as well as of amylase, were increased to about the same extent. The amylase messenger RNA (mRNA) was identified and quantified by hybridization with a 32P-labelled amylase complementary DNA (cDNA) probe. The amylase mRNA in stimulated and unstimulated rats was of the same molecular size (Northern blot analyses). The amount of amylase mRNA, determined by dot blot analyses, were also increased in stimulated rats, although this increase was not as great as that in the rate of amylase protein synthesis. The implications of this discrepancy concern the possibility that the mechanism of regulation of secretory protein synthesis in parotid glands is at the translational level.

The influence of aging on lysosomal acid DNase of the rat submandibular gland

Lysosomal and cytoplasmic fractions were prepared from rat submandibular glands for investigation of the release of lysosomal acid DNase in relation to aging. It was found that the acid DNase activity ratio for cytoplasmic/lysosomal fractions in rats aged 27 months was higher than that in three-month-old rats. The release of acid DNase from the lysosomal fraction by shaking was markedly increased in the fraction from the older animals.

Immunochemical quantitation of alpha-amylase and secretory IgA in parotid saliva from people of various ages

The alpha-amylase (128 subjects) and secretory IgA (118 subjects) concentration in stimulated parotid saliva of healthy individuals aged 23-84 years, was determined. They were divided into three age groups: I, 23-39; II, 40-59; and III, 60-84 years old. The concentrations (microgram/ml) of alpha-amylase for group I = 803.6; II = 648.0; and III = 652.4; the concentrations for secretory IgA for group I = 96.2; II = 101.8; and III = 97.7. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant differences between groups for alpha-amylase or secretory IgA.

The synthesis of amylase in parotid glands of young and old rats

The age-related changes in the rate of synthesis of total and secretory proteins were examined in parotid glands of young (2 months) and old (24 months) rats. The differences in the rate of incorporation of radioactive leucine into acid-insoluble proteins of the gland indicate that the rate of protein synthesis declines with age in this gland. To determine whether the rate of synthesis of secretory proteins changes with age in this gland, the rates of incorporation of [3H]leucine into amylase, a major secretory protein of the gland, were compared by radioactivity determinations. For this comparison, amylase was precipitated with glycogen after incubating the gland slices in the presence of the labeled amino acid. The study shows that rate of synthesis of amylase declines significantly with age in this gland. The possible relationship between the decline in protein synthesis and the reduced level of secretory activity of the gland due to aging is discussed.

Changes in the secretory acinar cells of the rat parotid gland during aging

The secretory acinar cells of parotid glands from rats of varying ages have been examined by electron microscopy to determine what age-related changes occur in these cells. The most prominent change noted in these cells is the progressive increase in the amount of lipofuscin granules with age. Lipofuscin granules are membrane-bound structures consisting of lipids, other subcomponents, and a matrix. In addition, these cells contain lipid droplets that are not associated with any other components and tend to accumulate at the base of the cells in older rats. Also, many acinar cells in the glands of old rats contain altered secretory granules which appear to be in the process of degeneration. The accumulation of lipid and degenerating secretory granules appears to be related to the reduced level of cellular secretory activity in the glands of older rats. It is possible that these two types of inclusions contribute to the formation of lipofuscin granules. Lipofuscin and degenerating secretory granules are associated with acid phosphatase, which is demonstrated cytochemically, indicating that these granules are lysosomal structures.

Secretory protein synthesis in parotid glands of young and old rats

To determine whether the synthesis of secretory proteins changes with age, the incorporation of [14C]-leucine into exportable proteins of the parotid gland was compared in 2- and 24-month-old rats. The proteins were separated by SDS-gel electrophoresis of the post-microsomal supernatant and identified by comparing the banding patterns in gels prepared from unstimulated glands with those from the glands stimulated to secrete. The amount of radioactivity incorporated into the bands corresponding to exportable proteins was significantly less in the older group, indicating that the synthesis of secretory proteins declines with age.

Age-related changes in EGF and protease in submandibular glands of C57BL/6J mice

The submandibular glands of male C57BL/6J mice were studied cytologically and chemically at the following ages (months): 1-1.5, 6-8, 12-13, 28-32. The relative proportion of granular convoluted tubules (GCT), as well as the size and content of secretion granules of GCT cells, progressively increased throughout the first year of life. Correspondingly, the concentration within the glands of two GCT cell products, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and protease, also steadily increased. In senescent glands, GCTs formed relatively less of the gland parenchyma and were composed of shorter cells with reduced amounts of secretory granules. The concentration of EGF was reduced to 17% of its peak value at one year, while protease activity declined to 50% of its peak value. These morphologic and chemical findings imply a functional impairment in submandibular glands of the mouse with senescence.

Rat parotid gland amylase: evidence for alterations in an exocrine protein with increased age

The content of alpha-amylase, the major exocrine secretory protein from rat parotid glands, was studied in young adult and aged rat tissue. alpha-Amylase protein was determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This employed antisera, produced against alpha-amylase purified from young adult rats, but which recognized and precipitated alpha-amylase enzyme activity equally well from both age groups. The parotid gland content of alpha-amylase was reduced about 50% in aged rats. Furthermore, the percentage of total gland protein which was alpha-amylase was decreased about 40% in aged animals. The data suggest that a somewhat specific alteration in alpha-amylase production (synthesis and/or degradation) occurs in parotid glands from aged rats. In addition, alpha-amylase functional activity was followed. The specific enzyme activity (U amylase activity per mg immunoreactive amylase) was about 35% higher in extracts from aged rat parotid glands compared to that of young adult glands.

Changes in the synthesis of exportable and nonexportable proteins in parotid glands during aging

The age-related differences in the synthesis of exportable and nonexportable proteins of the parotid salivary gland were compared in 2- and 24-months-old rats. Parotid slices from these rats were incubated in the presence of [14C]leucine and the amount of radioactivity incorporated into the water-soluble proteins of the postmicrosomal supernatant was compared. The exportable and nonexportable proteins were identified by electrophoretic separation of these proteins by comparing the banding patterns of the gel preparations from unstimulated glands to those from the glands stimulated to secrete. The radioactivity determination in various protein bands from these rats indicated that the synthesis of exportable secretory proteins declined with age, while that of nonexportable proteins did not appear to change.

Secretion of alpha-amylase from parotid lobules of young and old rats

The rate of release of a secretory enzyme, alpha-amylase, from the parotid lobules of 2 and 24 month old rats has been compared to determine whether the secretory activity of the cells change during aging. Upon incubation in the presence of a secretogogue, isoproterenol (10(-5) M), about the same proportions of the glandular alpha-amylase are released at about the same rate from these lobules. The isoproterenol-stimulated release of the enzyme is inhibited nearly completely by preincubating the lobules with propranolol (10(-5) M) in both age groups, indicating that the enzyme secretion occurs through the stimulation of beta-receptors. When viewed in the electron microscope, the cell membranes bordering the secretory lumen in isoproterenol-incubated lobules reveal festooned appearances which suggest that the enzyme release occurs by means of exocytosis. These observations indicate that the ability of the parotid cells to release secretory products through the beta-receptor mediation does not significantly change with increasing age.