A Cluster-Randomized, Community-Based, Tribally Delivered Oral Health Promotion Trial in Navajo Head Start Children

The authors tested the effectiveness of a community-based, tribally delivered oral health promotion (OHP) intervention (INT) at reducing caries increment in Navajo children attending Head Start. In a 3-y cluster-randomized trial, we developed an OHP INT with Navajo input that was delivered by trained Navajo lay health workers to children attending 52 Navajo Head Start classrooms (26 INT, 26 usual care [UC]). The INT was designed as a highly personalized set of oral health-focused interactions (5 for children and 4 for parents), along with 4 fluoride varnish applications delivered in Head Start during academic years of 2011 to 2012 and 2012 to 2013. The authors evaluated INT impact on decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces (dmfs) increment compared with UC. Other outcomes included caries prevalence and caregiver oral health-related knowledge and behaviors. Modified intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were conducted. The authors enrolled 1,016 caregiver-child dyads. Baseline mean dmfs/caries prevalence equaled 19.9/86.5% for the INT group and 22.8/90.1% for the UC group, respectively. INT adherence was 53% (i.e., ≥3 child OHP events, ≥1 caregiver OHP events, and ≥3 fluoride varnish). After 3 y, dmfs increased in both groups (+12.9 INT vs. +10.8 UC; P = 0.216), as did caries prevalence (86.5% to 96.6% INT vs. 90.1% to 98.2% UC; P = 0.808) in a modified intention-to-treat analysis of 897 caregiver-child dyads receiving 1 y of INT. Caregiver oral health knowledge scores improved in both groups (75.1% to 81.2% INT vs. 73.6% to 79.5% UC; P = 0.369). Caregiver oral health behavior scores improved more rapidly in the INT group versus the UC group (P = 0.006). The dmfs increment was smaller among adherent INT children (+8.9) than among UC children (+10.8; P = 0.028) in a per-protocol analysis. In conclusion, the severity of dental disease in Navajo Head Start children is extreme and difficult to improve. The authors argue that successful approaches to prevention may require even more highly personalized approaches shaped by cultural perspectives and attentive to the social determinants of oral health (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01116739).

Association of parental health literacy with oral health of Navajo Nation preschoolers

Health literacy is 'the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions'. Although numerous studies show a link between health literacy and clinical outcomes, little research has examined the association of health literacy with oral health. No large-scale studies have assessed these relationships among American Indians, a population at risk for limited health literacy and oral health problems. This analysis was conducted as part of a clinical trial aimed at reducing dental decay among preschoolers in the Navajo Nation Head Start program. Using baseline data for 1016 parent-child dyads, we examined the association of parental health literacy with parents' oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behavior, as well as indicators of parental and pediatric oral health. More limited health literacy was associated with lower levels of oral health knowledge, more negative oral health attitudes, and lower levels of adherence to recommended oral health behavior. Parents with more limited health literacy also had significantly worse oral health status (OHS) and reported their children to have significantly worse oral health-related quality of life. These results highlight the importance of oral health promotion interventions that are sensitive to the needs of participants with limited health literacy.

Venom production in long-term primary culture of secretory cells of the Bothrops jararaca venom gland

There is an increasing interest of obtaining venom by other ways than from extracting it from snakes captured in the wild. A readily available source of this venom will be useful for all pharmacological and biotechnological studies, as well as providing an improved avenue for treatments of snakebites. Here, we show that secretory cells of venom gland can be a good in vitro apparatus to produce venom. We have maintained and morphologically characterized the secretory cells of the Bothrops jararaca venom gland cultured up to 21 days. The isolated cells assemble into acini that growth in size up to 21st day, instead of adhering to the substrate. Bothropasin, a venom metalloprotease, was localized in secretory vesicles by immunoelectron microscopy and venom was also detected in culture medium in a concentration as high as 63 microg/ml. These data show that the acini formed in culture are functionally viable; they can produce and secrete venom.

Synergistic suppression of apoptosis in salivary acinar cells by IGF1 and EGF

Tissue homeostasis requires balancing cell proliferation and programmed cell death. IGF1 significantly suppressed etoposide-induced apoptosis, measured by caspase 3 activation and quantitation of cellular subG(1) DNA content, in rat parotid salivary acinar cells (C5). Transduction of C5 cells with an adenovirus expressing a constitutively activated mutant of Akt-suppressed etoposide-induced apoptosis, whereas a kinase-inactive mutant of Akt suppressed the protective effect of IGF1. IGF1 also suppressed apoptosis induced by taxol and brefeldin A. EGF was unable to suppress apoptosis induced by etoposide, but was able to synergize with IGF1 to further suppress caspase 3 activation and DNA cleavage after etoposide treatment. The catalytic activity of Akt was significantly higher following stimulation with both growth factors compared to stimulation with IGF1 or EGF alone. These results suggest that a threshold of activated Akt is required for suppression of apoptosis and the cooperative action of growth factors in regulating salivary gland homeostasis.

Neuroprotection of grafted neurons with a GDNF/caspase inhibitor cocktail

Transplantation of fetal ventral mesencephalic (VM) tissue shows great promise as an experimental therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease. However, cell survival in brain tissue grafts is poor, with survival rates of only 5-15%. We have utilized a combination of the caspase inhibitor bocaspartyl (OMe)-fluoromethylketone (BOC-ASP-CH2F) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) to enhance survival of grafted dopamine neurons. The VM tissue was dissected from embryonic day 13-15 rat fetuses, incubated in different doses of BOC-ASP-CH2F and GDNF, and transplanted to the anterior chamber of the eye of adult rats. Growth of the tissue was assessed through the translucent cornea. Doses of 50 and 100 micromolar of the general caspase inhibitor appeared to have detrimental effects on mesencephalic tissue, while 20 micromolar had beneficial effects on overall transplant growth. A combination of the caspase inhibitor and GDNF appeared to have more prominent effects on cell survival as well as dopaminergic fiber density than either agent by itself. The transplants doubled in size when they were treated with a combination of BOC-ASP-CH2F and GDNF, and cell death markers were significantly reduced at both 48 h and 4-6 days postgrafting. This is, to our knowledge, the first combined approach using apoptotic blockers with trophic factors, and demonstrates a viable strategy for protection of developing neurons, since several different aspects of graft function may be addressed simultaneously.

Activation of PKC is sufficient to induce an apoptotic program in salivary gland acinar cells

Accumulating evidence suggests that specific isoforms of PKC may function to promote apoptosis. We show here that activation of the conventional and novel isoforms of PKC with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13- ester (TPA) induces apoptosis in salivary acinar cells as indicated by DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase-3. TPA-induced DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and morphologic indicators of apoptosis, can be enhanced by pretreatment of cells with the calpain inhibitor, calpeptin, prior to the addition of TPA. Analysis of PKC isoform expression by immunoblot shows that TPA-induced downregulation of PKC alpha and PKC delta is delayed in cells pre-treated with calpeptin, and that this correlates with an increase of these isoforms in the membrane fraction of cells. TPA-induced apoptosis is accompanied by biphasic activation of the c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway and inactivation of the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Expression of constitutively activated PKC alpha or PKC delta, but not kinase negative mutants of these isoforms, or constitutively activated PKC epsilon, induces apoptosis in salivary acinar cells, suggesting a role for these isoforms in TPA-induced apoptosis. These studies demonstrate that activation of PKC is sufficient for initiation of an apoptotic program in salivary acinar cells. Cell Death and Differentiation (2000) 7, 1200 - 1209.

Protein kinase C delta is essential for etoposide-induced apoptosis in salivary gland acinar cells

We have previously shown that parotid C5 salivary acinar cells undergo apoptosis in response to etoposide treatment as indicated by alterations in cell morphology, caspase-3 activation, DNA fragmentation, sustained activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and inactivation of extracellular regulated kinases 1 and 2. Here we report that apoptosis results in the caspase-dependent cleavage of protein kinase C-delta (PKCdelta) to a 40-kDa fragment, the appearance of which correlates with a 9-fold increase in PKCdelta activity. To understand the function of activated PKCdelta in apoptosis, we have used the PKCdelta-specific inhibitor, rottlerin. Pretreatment of parotid C5 cells with rottlerin prior to the addition of etoposide blocks the appearance of the apoptotic morphology, the sustained activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and inactivation of extracellular regulated kinases 1 and 2. Inhibition of PKCdelta also partially inhibits caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation. Immunoblot analysis shows that the PKCdelta cleavage product does not accumulate in parotid C5 cells treated with rottlerin and etoposide together, suggesting that the catalytic activity of PKCdelta may be required for cleavage. PKCalpha and PKCbeta1 activities also increase during etoposide-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of these two isoforms with Gö6976 slightly suppresses the apoptotic morphology, caspase-3 activation, and DNA fragmentation, but has no effect on the sustained activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase or inactivation of extracellular regulated kinase 1 and 2. These data demonstrate that activation of PKCdelta is an integral and essential part of the apoptotic program in parotid C5 cells and that specific activated isoforms of PKC may have distinct functions in cell death.

Etoposide-induced activation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) correlates with drug-induced apoptosis in salivary gland acinar cells

We have examined the ability of etoposide to induce apoptosis in two recently established rat salivary acinar cell lines. Etoposide induced apoptosis in the parotid C5 cell line as evidenced by the appearance of cytoplasmic blebbing and nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation and cleavage of PARP. Etoposide also induced activation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in parotid C5 cells by 4 h after treatment, with maximal activation at 8 - 10 h. Coincident with activation of JNK, the amount of activated ERK1 and ERK2 decreased in etoposide-treated parotid C5 cells. In contrast to the parotid C5 cells, the vast majority of submandibular C6 cells appeared to be resistant to etoposide-induced apoptosis. Likewise, activation of JNKs was not observed in etoposide-treated submandibular C6 cells, and the amount of activated ERK1 and ERK2 decreased only slightly. Etoposide treatment of either cell line had no effect upon the activation of p38. Treatment of the parotid C5 cells with Z-VAD-FMK, a caspase inhibitor, inhibited etoposide-induced activation of JNK and DNA fragmentation. These data suggest that etoposide may induce apoptosis in parotid C5 cells by activating JNKs and suppressing the activation of ERKs, thus creating an imbalance in these two signaling pathways.

Development and characterization of immortalized rat parotid and submandibular acinar cell lines

The purpose of this investigation was to develop well-differentiated rat parotid and submandibular acinar cell lines. Acinar cells dissociated from rat parotid and submandibular glands were grown on Mitomycin C-treated 3T3 fibroblasts or Matrigel in primary culture and transfected by CaPO4 precipitation using a plasmid containing a replication-defective simian virus (SV40) genome. Cytokeratin analysis via indirect immunofluorescence and receptor mediated changes in intracellular calcium and cyclic AMP were assessed and used for the identification and selection of immortalized epithelial cells. Of the more than 60 clonal cell lines, four retained moderate to high levels of acinar differentiation through >60 passages. Ultrastructurally, there were tripartate junctional complexes and moderate amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum and secretory granules. Functional studies indicated that beta-adrenoceptors, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and prostaglandin E1 were effective activators of intracellular cyclic AMP production in all cell lines. Alpha-adrenoceptors, muscarinic cholinoceptors, and P2U-purinoceptor agonists were effective in increasing intracellular inositol phosphate production and free calcium levels whereas substance P was ineffective. These data document the utility of the SV40 plasmid in immortalizing rat parotid and submandibular acinar cells that retain most of the features of acinar differentiation.

A rat parotid gland cell line, Par-C10, exhibits neurotransmitter-regulated transepithelial anion secretion

Because of the lack of salivary gland cell lines suitable for Ussing chamber studies, a recently established rat parotid acinar cell line, Par-C10, was grown on permeable supports and evaluated for development of transcellular resistance, polarization, and changes in short-circuit current (Isc) in response to relevant receptor agonists. Par-C10 cultures reached confluence in 3-4 days and developed transcellular resistance values of >/=2,000 Omega . cm2. Morphological examination revealed that Par-C10 cells grew as polarized monolayers exhibiting tripartite junctional complexes and the acinar cell-specific characteristic of secretory canaliculi. Par-C10 Isc was increased in response to muscarinic cholinergic and alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists on the basolateral aspect of the cultures and to ATP and UTP (through P2Y2 nucleotide receptors) applied apically. Ion replacement and inhibitor studies indicated that anion secretion was the primary factor in agonist-stimulated Isc. RT-PCR, which confirmed the presence of P2Y2 nucleotide receptor mRNA in Par-C10 cells, also revealed the presence of mRNA for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and ClC-2 Cl- channel proteins. These findings establish Par-C10 cells as the first cell line of salivary gland origin useful in transcellular ion secretion studies in Ussing chambers.

Development and characterization of SV40 immortalized rat parotid acinar cell lines

Rat parotid salivary gland acinar cells were transfected by CaPO4 precipitation using a plasmid containing a replication-defective simian virus (SV40) genome. Out of 30 clonal cell lines, 2 were shown to have moderate to high levels of cytodifferentiation and salivary gland acinar cell function. Functional studies with the two cell lines indicated that the beta-adrenergic agonist (isoproterenol), vasoactive intestinal peptide prostaglandin E1, and forskolin were effective activators of intracellular cyclic adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate production. Phenylephrine, carbamylcholine, and UTP were effective in increasing inositol phosphate production and intracellular free calcium levels, whereas substance P was without affect. Utilizing indirect immunofluorescence analysis, both cell lines were shown to express the SV40 large T antigen. Electron microscopic evaluation documented moderate to high levels of cytodifferentiation with the maintenance of tripartite junctional complexes, cellular polarization, and presence of moderate amounts of secretory granules and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The two cell lines had doubling times of 22 and 36 h, respectively.

A non-invasive transport system for GDNF across the blood-brain barrier

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a neurotrophin which supports midbrain dopaminergic neurons and spinal cord motorneurons. GDNF has been proposed as a possible therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury or motorneuron degenerative disorders. Administration of GDNF is complicated by its poor penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Central nervous system capillaries are uniquely enriched in transferrin receptors and antibodies to these receptors (OX-26) have been proposed as potential carriers to transport large molecules across the BBB. Intravenous administration of an OX-26-GDNF conjugate enhanced survival of spinal cord motorneurons in intraocular transplants, which possess an organotypic BBB. This suggests that the OX-26-GDNF conjugate could be utilized for non-invasive treatment of neurodegenerative diseases of the spinal cord or midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

Development and characterization of SV40 immortalized rat submandibular acinar cell lines

Rat submandibular salivary gland acinar cells were transfected by CaPO4 precipitation using a plasmid containing a replication-defective simian virus (SV40) genome. Out of 27 clonal cell lines, two were shown to have moderate to high levels of cytodifferentiation and salivary gland acinar cell function. Functional studies with the two cell lines indicated that the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and prostaglandin E1 were effective activators of intracellular cyclic AMP production. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and P2U-purinoceptor agonists were effective in increasing inositol phosphate production and intracellular free calcium levels, whereas substance P was without effect. Utilizing indirect immunofluorescence analysis, both cell lines were shown to express glutamine/glutamic acid-rich proteins, a submandibular acinar cell specific secretory protein family. Electron microscopic evaluation documented the maintenance of tripartite junctional complexes, cellular polarization, and the presence of moderate amounts of secretory granules and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The two cell lines had doubling times of 25 h.

Characterization of synthesis and storage of TGF-alpha in rat parotid acinar and intercalated duct cells

Although the expression and biological role of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) have been explored in a variety of normal cells in mammalian species, little is known about the storage of TGF-alpha in secretory cells of exocrine organs. Parotid glands from four rats were homogenized for RNA isolation followed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to determine the presence of TGF-alpha message. In situ hybridization using a hamster-specific TGF-alpha riboprobe was done on paraffin sections. Parotid gland and isolated acinar cells were processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and postembedding immunogold labeled for TGF-alpha. Gold particles were counted on approximately 200 granules in 10 acinar cells and in 10 intercalated duct cells. Labeling density was calculated as the number of gold particles per square micrometer +/- SD. Statistical significance was calculated using one-way analysis of variance. Using multiple technologies, we have established that rat parotid acinar and intercalated duct cells synthesize TGF-alpha and store the precursor form of this cytokine in their secretory granules.

Effects of oxygen, insulin, and glucagon concentrations on rat submandibular acini in serum-free primary culture

The objective of these studies was to develop serum-free culture conditions for dissociated acini from rat submandibular glands. Acini were isolated from the submandibular glands of 42-46 d old rats and cultured on reconstituted rat tail collagen containing laminin in 1:1 Ham's F12 and Dulbecco's media, supplemented with BSA, transferrin, insulin, T3, EGF, dexamethasone, retinoic acid, carbamylcholine, and trace elements, and gassed with 50% O2. The acini became partly embedded in the collagen gel and rapidly enlarged throughout the first 22 d of culture, maintaining modest seromucous acinar differentiation, as judged morphologically and by mucin secretion. Parallel cultures then were grown under 20, 35, 50, and 65% O2, and evaluated morphologically and by DNA content. Growth and retention of seromucous acinar characteristics were best with 35% O2, but lipid accumulation and cell death were unacceptably high. A spectrum of concentrations of insulin and glucagon then were tried. With 0.05 micrograms/ml insulin, cellular growth and organization were orderly, lipid accumulations were not excessive, and moderate differentiation was retained through 15 d of culture. With more than 0.1 microgram/ml insulin added to or subtracted from the optimum, the detrimental effects recurred. Addition of sufficient glucagon counteracted the effects of both optimum and excessive concentrations of insulin. We now have achieved an orderly growth of moderately differentiated rat submandibular acini for 15 d in serum-free primary culture.

Steroid hormone analysis in human saliva

Despite the aforementioned complications, noninvasive saliva collection has provided the medical and research community with an excellent medium for the monitoring of plasma steroid levels. This noninvasive method has permitted the evaluation and assessment of a multitude of endocrine studies that would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, using other more familiar methods.

Rat submandibular and parotid protein phosphorylation and exocytosis: effect of site-selective cAMP analogs

A series of cAMP analogs that have different specificities for the two different binding sites on the regulatory subunit of type I and type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) were used to determine whether selective activation of type I or type II PKA could link either or both isozyme forms of PKA with exocytosis and specific protein phosphorylation in salivary gland cells. Using dispersed rat submandibular or parotid cells, selective activation of either type I or type II resulted in a synergistic response for both rat submandibular mucin and parotid amylase secretion and the phosphorylation of a 26-kDa integral membrane phosphoprotein. These data suggest that the activation of either isozyme of PKA can elicit cellular exocytosis and specific protein phosphorylation in both of these cell types.

Establishment of primary cultures of rat and human parotid epithelial cells for transfection experiments

The molecular mechanisms that regulate the synthesis of salivary proteins are unknown. The paucity of homogeneous cell populations of parotid acinar cells has become a limiting factor for such a study. Therefore, the establishment of immortalized clones of acinar cells is essential. This study has established primary cultures of rat and human parotid epithelial cells that are suitable for transfection with plasmid vectors, pSV2, pSV3, and pSV5 to generate immortalized cells in vitro. Among various techniques used, the rat and human parotid tissue or cellular clumps when restrained in chicken plasma clot allowed the outgrowth of epithelial cells that maintained epithelial cell morphology for over 4 wk. However, the initial growth requirements for rat and human parotid cells were different. The presence of 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum in supplemented MCDB-LB medium was essential for the outgrowth of rat parotid epithelial cells, but this was not needed for the outgrowth of human parotid epithelial cells. The growth of both human and rat parotid epithelial cells can be maintained in serum-free supplemented MCDB-LB. These primary cultures contained amylase-producing cells as demonstrated by immunofluorescent technique, and they were transfected with pSV2, pSV3, and pSV5 using primarily the calcium phosphate-DNA co-precipitation technique. After initial extensive cell death, many cells with epithelial cell morphology survived.

Purification and partial characterization of analogous 26-kDa rat submandibular and parotid gland integral membrane phosphoproteins that may have a role in exocytosis

Rat submandibular and parotid gland exocytosis is primarily controlled by beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Although its precise role in the regulation of salivary gland exocytosis is not fully understood, protein phosphorylation, mediated by the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, may be directly involved. Previous studies suggest that analogous 26-kDa integral membrane phosphoproteins may play a direct role in regulating exocytosis. Studies were here undertaken to purify and partially characterize both phosphoproteins. After endogenous phosphorylation with 32P, subcellular fraction and solubilization of the microsomal fraction in n-octyl beta-glucopyranoside, the 26-kDa integral membrane phosphoproteins were purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), followed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electroelution of the proteins. Amino acid analysis indicated a significant number of serine amino acids: N-terminal sequence data demonstrated a high level of homology; and trypsin digestion followed by reversed-phase HPLC indicated the possibility of multiple phosphorylation sites.

Activation and distribution of rat parotid cAMP-dependent protein kinase following beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation in vitro

The extent of activation of parotid protein kinase A (EC 2.7.1.37) isozymes was determined using dispersed cells and an 8-N3-[32P]-cAMP photoprobe. Cold-trap studies indicated that 40% of type I protein kinase A was activated following maximal beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation, whereas type II activation was less than 20%. Both cytosolic and microsomal type I activation occurred rapidly after stimulation and both remain activated throughout the entire secretory period. The dose-response relationship for the isotypes following beta-adrenergic receptor activation demonstrated a greater extent of type I activation at maximal concentration of agonist. Although protein kinase A may not be the only kinase involved in rat parotid amylase release, these findings add further evidence of a direct regulatory role for this kinase, with type I having potentially a greater role than type II.

Evidence against a direct role for protein kinase C in rat submandibular salivary mucin secretion

Calcium and protein kinase C may be directly involved in exocytosis. However, in the rat submandibular gland, cAMP-mediated events appear to be required for mucin secretion. Calcium may be involved, but a direct signal-transduction role for calcium and protein kinase C in regulating such secretion has yet to be established. With dispersed rat submandibular acinar-intercalated duct complexes, endogenous protein phosphorylation and mucin secretion studies were performed to determine if 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (PMA), a specific activator of protein kinase C, could act as an effective secretagogue for mucin secretion and if specific protein phosphorylation could be assigned to protein kinase C activation. PMA did not elicit such phosphorylation and it only slightly increased mucin secretion at high concentrations; these slight increases appeared to be non-specific. Therefore, protein kinase C activation may not be directly involved in regulating rat submandibular mucin secretion.

Effects of dexamethasone, epidermal growth factor, and retinoic acid on rat submandibular acinar-intercalated duct complexes in primary culture

Mature acini with attached segments of intercalated ducts were dissociated from the submandibular glands of rats and grown in primary culture on gels of reconstituted rat tail collagen. Screening evaluations indicated that the following new conditions promoted a substantial improvement in the survival of the cells as compared with our previously reported results: a) adding dexamethasone, epidermal growth factor, and retinoic acid to the medium, b) decreasing the fetal bovine serum in the medium to 1%; and c) adjusting the oxygen in the gas phase to 50%. A detailed evaluation, including light and electron microscopy and biochemical analysis, then provided the following observations. The acinar-ductal complexes enlarged throughout the 22-d culture period, and after 4 d sheets comprised of a one- to two-cell thick layer of acinar cells spread among the complexes. Synthesis of mucin, and its secretion in response to norepinephrine or cAMP, dropped precipitously to very low levels after 2 d. However, synthesis of DNA, general proteins, and glycoproteins dropped only transiently after 2 d, rising to levels approaching those of freshly dissociated complexes by 22 d. These data indicate that a shift occurred from the synthesis of large quantities of secretory proteins and glycoproteins, especially mucins, during the first 2 d in culture, to other materials thereafter. Overall, the new culture conditions resulted in substantial growth and survival of acinar cells through 22 d in primary culture, but the important acinar characteristic of the synthesis and secretion of mucins was essentially lost after 4 d.

Subcellular distribution and activation of rat submandibular cAMP-dependent protein kinase following beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation

The extent of activation of rat submandibular protein kinase A (EC 2.7.1.37) isozymes following beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation was determined in vitro using dispersed cells and an 8-N3-[32P]cAMP photoprobe. The half-maximal binding of the photoprobe for microsomal and cytosolic type I and cytosolic type II was 9 nM, 27 nM and 92 nM, respectively. 'Cold trap' studies indicated that 70% of type I protein kinase A was activated following maximal beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation, whereas type II activation was less than 40%. Both cytosolic and microsomal type I activation occurred rapidly following beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation and both remain activated throughout the entire secretory period. Type I inactivation occurred rapidly subsequent to beta-adrenergic receptor blockade. The dose-response relationship for the isotypes following beta-adrenergic receptor activation demonstrated a greater extent of type I activation at submaximal concentrations of agonist. Although protein kinase A may not be the only kinase involved in rat submandibular mucin release, these data add further support to a direct regulatory role for this kinase, with type I having potentially a greater role than type II.

Subcellular distribution of calmodulin and its binding proteins within the rat submandibular gland

The involvement of calmodulin (CaM) in rat submandibular gland mucin secretion was investigated in vitro using a dispersed cell preparation. The CaM antagonist trifluoperazine (TFP) inhibited mucin secretion in response to both isoproterenol and dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. The inhibitory concentrations of TFP were between 10 and 100 microM. One millimolar TFP was toxic to submandibular cells and resulted in decreased levels of cellular ATP and a significant release of lactate dehydrogenase. Determination of CaM levels via radioimmunoassay within various subcellular fractions indicated that the majority of the CaM within the rat submandibular cell was located within the cytoplasm. CaM binding proteins were also identified within these subcellular fractions utilizing a gel overlay procedure. The two major, specific CaM binding proteins present within rat submandibular cells were a 59-kDa cytosolic protein and a 47-kDa membrane-associated protein.

Short-term primary culture of acinar-intercalated duct complexes from rat submandibular glands

Acinar-intercalated duct complexes dissociated from rat submandibular glands have been shown to be an excellent model for studying secretory responses of salivary gland components. However, they are functionally normal for only a few hours. We undertook a systematic manipulation of primary culture conditions in an attempt to extend the useful life of the complexes. The major modifications that were tested were increased oxygenation in increments to 95%; substitution of norepinephrine or carbamylcholine or both for isoproterenol in the medium; different sources of collagen for and addition of laminin, fibronectin and/or type IV collagen to the matrix gel; and varying the thickness of the collagen gel, richness of the cell suspension inoculate, and sources and concentrations of sera in the medium. Progress was monitored by light microscopic evaluation of routine sections of specimens until improved maintenance of acinar and other cells warranted carrying parallel cultures for biochemical, histochemical, and ultrastructural analyses. Best results were obtained with 90% O2, laminin in rat tail collagen gel, 10% fetal bovine serum, and 3 microM isoproterenol. Morphologically, there was good survival of acini and intercalated ducts after 1 d, with decreased acinar size being correlated with secretory response to the isoproterenol. Reorganization and considerable mitotic activity were seen at 2, 3, and 4 d, with most clusters of cells becoming much larger than the original complexes. During this period acinar cells steadily became less differentiated and their numbers decreased in proportion to intercalated duct or undifferentiated cells. However, there was good overall survival through 7 d. Biochemical analysis indicated that the cells were able to maintain significant biosynthetic activity for 4 d, with DNA, RNA, protein, and glycoprotein synthetic rates increasing over the culture period, but the secretory capacity of the cells diminished during the primary culture period, with mucin biosynthesis and secretion decreasing significantly after 1 d in culture.

A novel platelet-activating protein derived from rat submandibular glands

Among the various naturally occurring substances which induce platelet aggregation and secretion, considerable attention has been focused recently on the phospholipid platelet-activating factor (PAF) derived from a variety of mammalian cells. In this report, we describe a platelet-activating protein, designated RS-PAP, which was isolated and partially purified from the submandibular salivary glands of adult male rats. This material caused a dose-related in vitro activation of washed, [3H]serotonin-labeled platelets from rats, rabbits and humans. The biologic activity of RS-PAP was compared with that of 1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (AGEPC), a well-characterized representative of the phospholipid platelet-activating factors, and collagen, a potent platelet-stimulating protein. The activation of washed rabbit platelets by RS-PAP required extracellular calcium for both aggregation and secretion of [3H]serotonin, and was not inhibited by indomethacin. Furthermore, RS-PAP was not inhibited by pretreatment with phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, iodoacetate, hirudin or an acetylhydrolase which specifically degrades the phospholipid AGEPC. RS-PAP was completely inactivated by heating at 56 degrees C for 20 minutes, by trypsinization and by a phospholipid extraction procedure. Gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 indicated an approximate molecular weight of 22,000 - 25,000 daltons. Thus RS-PAP appears to be a new platelet-stimulating protein which activates a variety of mammalian platelets.

Effect of serum from normal and cystic fibrosis subjects on mucin secretion from dispersed rat submandibular cells

The action of serum from cystic fibrosis patients, obligatory heterozygotes, siblings, and normal patients on mucin secretion from dispersed rat submandibular cells was investigated in an attempt to demonstrate the existence of cystic fibrosis specific factors affecting mucin secretion. No effects specific to cystic fibrosis serum were demonstrated using the following parameters for evaluation: (1) maximal stimulation of mucin release by a beta-adrenergic agonist, (-)-isoproterenol; (2) basal release (unstimulated secretion) of mucin material; and (3) the dose-response relationship for mucin release after beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation. No differences were observed in mucin secretion using media concentrations of serum of up to 10%. From these data, we conclude that serum from individuals with cystic fibrosis does not contain bioactive factors at concentrations that specifically alter mucin secretion in rat submandibular acinar cells.

Role of protein phosphorylation in regulating rat submandibular mucin secretion

The possible involvement of protein phosphorylation during beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation in rat submandibular gland was investigated in vitro using a dispersed cell preparation. (-)-Isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, or dibutyryl cAMP stimulation was associated with an enhanced phosphorylation of three protein bands having apparent molecular weights of 34,000, 26,000, and 21,000, respectively. (-)-Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, inhibited the phosphorylation of the three proteins during beta-adrenergic stimulation but not during dibutyryl cAMP stimulation. The three proteins were not fragments of a higher-molecular-weight protein. Subcellular fractionation using differential centrifugation, fractionation in an aqueous two-phase polymer system, and discontinuous sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation coupled with marker enzyme analysis indicated that all three proteins were enriched in the same subfractions: a heavy plasma membrane fraction and a fraction containing plasma membrane and Golgi membrane material. The extent of protein phosphorylation for all three proteins increased as a function of time and dose after beta-adrenergic stimulation. After 20 min of maximal beta-adrenergic stimulation, the addition of a beta-adrenergic blocker caused a time-dependent decrease in the 32P content of all three proteins. Pure cholinergic or pure alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation had no effect on the 32P content of the three proteins. These data are consistent with a role for cAMP-mediated protein phosphorylation during mucin secretion from rat submandibular cells.

Role of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activation in regulating rat submandibular mucin secretion

The extent of activation of rat submandibular gland cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (EC 2.7.1.37) was determined in vitro using dispersed cells to assess the involvement of this enzyme in submandibular mucin secretion. cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation, as determined by activity ratio method, was markedly increased following beta-adrenergic receptor activation. 0.5 M NaCl was required in the homogenization buffer for stabilization of the hormonally activated cAMP-dependent protein kinase. A role for cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation in regulating mucin secretion was strongly suggested by the following: (1) the kinase activity ratio increased rapidly after beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation; (2) dose-response relationship of the kinase activation following beta-adrenergic receptor activation correlated with isoproterenol induced mucin release; (3) termination of beta-adrenergic mediated mucin secretion caused a rapid decrease in the kinase activity ratio; (4) dibutyryl cyclic AMP stimulation caused an increase in the kinase ratio; whereas (5) pure cholinergic and pure alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation had no effect on endogenous kinase activity. Although cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation may not be the only regulator of mucin secretion, these data suggest an important regulatory role for this kinase activation during rat submandibular mucin release.

Dispersed rat parotid cells: role of calcium and cAMP in the regulation of amylase secretion

The inter-relationship between cellular calcium and cAMP in the regulation of amylase secretion in dispersed rat parotid cells was evaluated. α- adrenergic stimulation augmented β-adrenergic receptor-mediated amylase release. Cellular calcium depletion was unable to completely block amylase secretion.

Comparison in vitro of the incorporation of D-[2-3H(N)]-mannose and D-[1-14C]-glucosamine into glycoproteins of dispersed rat submandibular salivary gland cells

The incorporation of two different radiolabelled sugars, D-[14C]-glucosamine and D-[2-3H(N)]-mannose, into cellular and secretory glycoproteins was compared using dispersed rat submandibular cells. Most of the de-novo biosynthesis appeared to be directed toward the synthesis of secretory material as the molecular profile of the 3H-labelled material released following sympathomimetic stimulation and the percentage of total 3H-labelled acid--precipitable material secreted following cholinergic- or adrenergic-receptor stimulation coincided with the data obtained from similar studies using [14C]-glucosamine. The [3H]-mannose label was found in the neutral sugars mannose, galactose, glucose and fucose, with trace amounts of radiolabel in the amino sugars, whereas the [14C]-glucosamine label was present in three different amino sugars; glucosamine, galactosamine and sialic acid.

Evidence against a role for guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in rat submandibular salivary gland potassium release

The role of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) in the net K+ efflux following parasympathomimetic and sympathomimetic stimulation in dispersed rat submandibular cells was evaluated. In unstimulated cells, approx. 70 per cent of the total cGMP content was present in the incubation medium; the addition of 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (MIX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, to the medium elevated both intracellular and extracellular levels of cGMP. Cholinergic receptor stimulation resulted in a rapid increase of the cGMP content in the cells and in the medium. Extracellular Ca2+ was necessary for an increased cGMP response and MIX potentiated the cGMP response. Adrenergic-receptor activation produced a slight increase in cGMP after 5 min of stimulation but only when MIX was present in the medium. cGMP analogues (8-Br-cGMP and Bt2cGMP) had no effect on the rate of maximal net K+ efflux, on submaximal net K+ efflux, or on K+ re-uptake following parasympathomimetic or sympathomimetic stimulation. The dose-response relationship for a cholinergic agonist, carbamylcholine, or an adrenergic agonist, norepinephrine, was unaffected by the presence of either 8-Br-cGMP or Bt2cGMP in the medium. MIX, at a concentration sufficient to increase intracellular and extracellular cGMP levels, had no effect on net K+ efflux. These data do not support a role for cGMP in modulating rat submandibular potassium release.

Role of calcium and cAMP in the regulation of rat submandibular mucin secretion

The role of cellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium in the secretion of [14C]glucosamine-labeled mucins by rat submandibular acinar cells was studied. cAMP appeared to be involved, since 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine potentiated the secretory response and cellular cAMP levels increased dramatically following adrenergic stimulation. Furthermore, cAMP analogues were able to elicit a secretory response in the absence of beta-adrenergic receptor activation. Cellular calcium was required for mucin secretion at the level of cAMP action; depletion of cellular calcium by pretreatment with EGTA inhibited the secretory response to both adrenergic stimulation and exogenous cAMP addition, but pretreatment with EGTA did not alter the rise in cellular cAMP induced by norepinephrine. Extracellular calcium was not required to elicit mucin secretion, nor could secretion be elicited by means of the calcium ionophore A23187 alone. However, extracellular calcium may have an important biological role in mucin secretion, since cholinergic receptor activation and alpha-adrenergic receptor activation in conjunction with beta-adrenergic receptor activation potentiated mucin release. In addition, the calcium ionophore A23187 potentiated mucin release following cAMP analogue addition.

Cystic fibrosis factors: effect of serum on the secretory response of dispersed rat submandibular cells

The action of serum from cystic fibrosis patients on the intracellular maintenance, efflux, and uptake of potassium ions in dispersed acinar cells from the rat submandibular gland, a seromucous salivary gland, was investigated in an attempt to demonstrate the presence of factors affecting ion-coupled secretion. No effects specific to cystic fibrosis serum were demonstrated upon the following parameters of potassium transport: (1) maximal stimulation of K+ efflux by the cholinergic agonists carbamylcholine; (2) the dose-response curve of K+ efflux in response to carbamylcholine; (3) re-entry of K+ into cells after carbamylcholine stimulation; (4) the maintenance of K+ in the absence of added effectors. No differences were observed between cells pretreated with serum and cells to which serum was added at the time of cholinergic stimulation of secretion. At high concentrations, serum from both normal individuals and those with cystic fibrosis severely damaged the cells in a rapid and irreversible fashion. K+ transport has a direct, closely coupled, specific relationship to secretory activity and is Ca++ dependent in this system. From these observations, we conclude that serum from individuals with cystic fibrosis does not contain chemical compounds which specifically alter the major components of ion-coupling to secretion or the secretory process itself in salivary gland acinar cells.

Secretory response of dispersed rat submandibular cells. I. Potassium release

The secretory response of dispersed rat submandibular cells as it relates to the net efflux of K+ following sympathomimetic and parasympathomimetic stimulation was evaluated. The cholinergic agonists acetylcholine and carbamylcholine were found to have equal efficacy but dissimilar receptor affinity. Median effective concentrations (EC50's) were 1.7 x 10(-7) M and 7.1 x 10(-7) M, respectively. Pilocarpine was found to be acting as a "partial" agonist and had an EC50 at 5.6 x 10(-7) M. (-)-Norepinephrine and (-)-epinephrine were found to have similar efficacy and potency with EC50's at 5.6 x 10(-7) M and 3.8 x 10(-7) M, respectively. (-)-Phenylephrine was found to act as a partial agonist with an EC50 at 3.8 x 10(-6) M, whereas (-)-isoproterenol stimulation resulted in no net K+ efflux within the concentrations tested (10(-8) M--10(-3) M). Extracellular Ca2+, but not Mg2+, was shown to be required to elicit a net K efflux following either cholinergic or alpha-adrenergic stimulation.

Secretory response of dispersed rat submandibular cells. II. Mucin secretion

The secretory response of dispersed rat submandibular cells as it relates to the secretion of D-[1-14C]glucosamine hydrochloride-labeled mucin following sympathomimetic and parasympathomimetic stimulation was evaluated. The adrenergic agonists (-)-norepinephrine and (-)-epinephrine were found to have equal efficacy and potency with a median effective concentration (EC50) of 7.1 x 10(-7) M. (-)-Isoproterenol was found to be acting as a "partial" agonist and had an EC50 of 3.9 x 10(-7) M. (-)-Phenylephrine addition resulted in a small, but significant, secretion of mucin at higher doses tested (10(-4) M--10(-3) M). Neither cholinergic nor alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation was able to elicit a net increase in the secretion of mucin. However alpha-adrenergic receptor activation in conjunction with beta-adrenergic receptor activation facilitated the rate of secretion. Extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ were not required for the secretion of mucin, but extracellular Ca2+ enhanced the rate of secretion following alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor activation. However extracellular Ca2+ did not enhance mucin secretion following beta-adrenergic receptor activation. Both cellular Ca2+ and beta-adrenergic receptor activation were required to elicit a secretory response following sympathomimetic stimulation.

Functional characteristics of dispersed rat submandibular cells

Rat submandibular gland cells have been obtained through enzymatic dispersion using chromatographically purified collagenase (EC 3.4.24.3) and hyaluronidase (EC 3.2.1.35) and gentle mechanical force. The recovery of viable cells after the isolation procedure was 59% on the basis of total glandular DNA content. Approximately 60% of the total cell population consisted of acinar cells; less than 8% were immature granular duct cells; and the remainder were intercalated duct, striated duct, and myoepithelial cells. Most of the acinar cells were in acinar-intercalated duct complexes. The integrity of the isolated cells was substantiated by their exclusion of trypan blue, intracellular electrolyte composition, incorporation of [14C]glucosamine into trichloroacetic acid + phosphotungstic acid precipitable material at a linear rate for 1.5 hr, secretory responses to parasympathomimetic and sympathomimetic stimulation, and morphologic integrity as determined by light and electron microscopy. The cholinergic receptors were characterized through investigation of the net transmembrane flux of K+ in response to carbamoylcholine. The alpha-adrenergic receptors were characterized by investigating the net transmembrane flux of K+ in response to norepinephrine stimulation and the beta-adrenergic receptors were characterized by determining the rate of secretion of 14C-labeled mucin after isoproterenol stimulation. A high degree of sensitivity to both cholinergic and adrenergic secretagogues was observed.

Submaxillary secretion in rats treated with guanethidine

The composition of final submaxillary saliva and of whole gland homogenates were compared in rats treated with 14 daily doses of guanethidine (20 mg/kg body weight) and in untreated controls after stimulation with pilocarpine (10 mg/kg) or carbamylcholine (50-100 mg/kg). A 44% reduction in the volume of saliva and elevations in the salivary concentrations of K+, Ca2+ and protein were found in the treated animals after pilocarpine stimulation. Similarly, a 25% reduction in salivary volume and elevations in salivary Ca2+ and protein concentrations were observed following stimulation with carbamylcholine. A less significant elevation in salivary K+ was seen after this secretagogue. The Na+ and protein contents, but not the K+ and Ca2+ contents, were found to be elevated in the glands of the treated animals in the resting (unstimulated) state. After stimulation with the two secretagogues, however, similar changes in glandular Na+ and K+ contents were found in the glands of control and treated animals. The glandular water content was also similar in both types of glands in the resting and stimulated states. It is concluded that a reduced salivary secretion, rather than supersensitivity, is observed in the rat submaxillary gland following chronic guanethidine administration. The drug treatment does not impair the glandular electrolyte changes that occur upon stimulation, but most likely impairs the release of protein from the gland and also transductal K+ transport. Both these effects may result from the depletion of sympathetic neurotransmitter caused by the guanethidine administration.

Potassium release from the rat submaxillary gland in vitro. II. Induction by parasympathomimetic secretagogues

The kinetics of K+ release from an in vitro system of rat submaxillary gland slices were studied after stimulation with parasympathomimetic secretagogues. The slices were incubated at 37degreesC in an oxygenated, enriched Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium in the presence and in the absence of Ca++ and of ouabain and, in some experiments, in the presence of the specific antagonists atropine (5 x 10(-6) and 2 x 10(-5) M), phentolamine (2 x 10(-5) M) or propranolol (2 x 10(-5) M. K+ release was elicited by the addition of acetylcholine (2 x 10(-5) M), pilocarpine (2 x 10(-5) M) and carbamylcholine (10(-9) to 2 x 10(-5) M). The results demonstrate that: 1) The selective stimulation of cholinergic receptors induces a rapid net release of K+ from the slices. After 10 minutes of incubation, the percent K+ released after a 2 x 10(-5) M dose of each of the three secretagogues was, respectively, 20.8%, 15.5%, and 19%. 2) The response to carbamylcholine does not occur when Ca++ is absent from the medium and is blocked by atropine but not by phentolamine or by propranolol. Atropine (5 x 10(-6) M) causes a 17-fold shift to the right on the dose-response curve to carbamylcholine. 3) The magnitude of K+ release is the ratio of two opposing mechanisms, a passive efflux and an active reuptake. The latter depends on the activity of the ouabain-sensitive Na+-K+-adenosine triphosphatase. 4) The sensitivity of the slice system to carbamylcholine seems to be greater than that to norepinephrine in terms of net K+ release after equimolar doses of 2 x 10(-5) M and also in terms of the dose required to induce a half maximal passive K+ efflux. However, the maximal passive K+ efflux is similar after both types of secretagogue and amounts of approximately 45% of the K+ present in the slices.

Potassium release from the rat submaxillary gland in vitro. I. Induction by catecholamines

Slices of submaxillary gland were incubated in vitro in an enriched Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate medium gassed with 95% O2-5% CO2 at 37 degrees C and the release of K+ into the medium was monitored after stimulation with alpha and beta adrenergic secretagogues under a variety of experimental conditions. K+ was released by the slice system after addition of norepinephrine, epinephrine or phenylephrine, but not after addition of isoproterenol. The extent of K+ release after norepinephrine depends on the dose of secretagogue and is higher when glucose, adenine and inosine, or all three substrates are absent from the medium. The effect of norepinephrine on K+ release is reversed by phentolamine but not by propranolol. Phentolamine also causes a 9.4-fold shift to the right in the dose-response curve to norepinephrine. Addition of ouabain to the incubation medium results in a higher extent of K+ release and prevents the reversal caused by phentolamine. The response to norepinephrine fails to occur when Ca++ is absent from the medium, either by chelation with ethylene glycol bis (beta-amino-ethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid or by elimination from the Krebs-Ringer solution, and shows gradations depending on the Ca++ content of the medium. By itself, however, Ca++ does not induce K+ release from the slice system. The following conclusions are derived from these observations: 1) the release of K+ ions from the submaxillary gland is mediated by alpha adrenergic receptors; 2) the net amount of K+ released is the result of two opposing and almost simultaneous mechanisms, a passive extrusion and an active reuptake; 3) the active reuptake of K+ depends on the availability of energy and is mediated through the ouabain-sensitive Na+-K+ activated adenosine triphosphatase; 4) the reaction is critically dependent on the presence of Ca++ in the incubation medium and probably involves an influx of Ca++ upon stimulation with alpha adrenergic secretagogues.

The chronically reserpinized rat as a possible animal model for cystic fibrosis. IV. The protein composition of pulmonary lavage fluid

Lung lavage samples obtained from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) had significantly higher levels of total protein per ml lavage fluid (0.49 vs. 0.30 mg/ml). A significant increase in the absolute and relative amounts of a low molecular weight glycoprotein (15,000 mol wt) was noted in lavage specimens from CF patients. Reserpine-treated rats also showed a significant increase in the total protein recovered in the lung lavage fluid with a 233% increase in the absolute and relative amounts of a low molecular weight glycoprotein (15,000 mol wt). Thus, reserpine induced changes in the secretions of the lung of the rat which are similar to those observed in samples obtained from the lung of CF patients.

Studies on the synthesis of plasma membrane proteins of fibroblasts from patients with cystic fibrosis

The characteristic increased salinity of sweat and other abnormalities of exocrine secretions in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) suggest the possibility of a disturbed functioning of the plasma membrane in this disease. Several lines of evidence indicate that fibroblasts express the presence of the CF genotype. Therefore these cells were used in an in vitro study directed at determining whether the manifestations of CF might be related to an alteration of one or more of the protein components of the plasma membrane. In order to evaluate the synthesis of these components, growing fibrosblasts from patients with CF and normal subjects were briefly exposed to either 14C- or 3-H-leucine. Their plasma membrances were then isolated and subjected to analysis in a nondetergent acrylamide gel system. Coelectrophoresis of differentially labeled preparations revealed the absence of a detectable abnormality in the synthetic rates of any of the more than 30 resolved protein species.

Abnormal secretory response to parasympathomimetic and sympathomimetic stimulations from the submaxillary gland of rats treated with reserpine

Rats treated with 0.5 mg/kg of reserpine per day for 7 days were anesthetized and submaxillary saliva was collected and analyzed for Na+, K+, Ca++ and protein concentrations. Salivary secretion was elicited by i.p. injections of carbamylcholine (50-100 mug/kg), phenylephrine (5 mg/kg) and isoproterenol (10 mg/rat). Saliva was also collected from untreated controls. Submaxillary glands were excised from both groups of animals at the termination of the secretory response, homogenized and analyzed. Glands from other animals were removed in the resting state and similarly processed. Pretreatment with reserpine resulted in decreased volumes of salvia and in elevated salivary concentrations of Ca++ and protein. Saliva from the reserpine-treated animals secreted in response to carbamylcholine had higher concentrations of Na+ and K+ than control saliva, particularly at the low rates of flow. Saliva secreted after stimulation with the two sympathomimetic secretagogues had lower concentrations of these two ions. Resting glands from the treated animals showed significant elevations in protein and Ca++ content and a significant decrease in K+ content. At the end of the secretory response to the three secretagogues, glands from treated animals showed a significantly higher Na+ content and a significantly lower K+ content than control glands. It is concluded that pretreatment with reserpine alters the secretory response of the rat submaxillary gland to both parasympathomimetic and sympathomimetic stimulation. This alteration results from a toxic lesion caused by reserpine in the salivary cells, which involves changes in their permeability to ions and in their energy resources. These in turn, result in an abnormal stimulus-secretion coupling mechanism. The possibility that the toxic lesion is related to alterations in Ca++ homeostasis is discussed.

The chronically reserpinized rat as a possible model for cystic fibrosis. II. Comparison and cilioinhibitory effects of submaxillary saliva

Submaxillary saliva from reserpine-treated rats was found to have alterations in composition similar to those reported in the same secretion from patients with cystic fibrosis. Changes included elevated concentrations of Na+, Ca++, protein, and carbohydrate. In addition, this saliva was found to have ciliotoxic properties similar to those of CF serum. The similarities in cilioinhibitory effects salivary composition, and histologic appearance justify the use of the chronically reserpinized rat as a model for cystic fibrosis.