title: alpha-Adrenergic regulation of secretion of mouse saliva rich in nerve growth factor.
abstract: Nerve growth factor has been quantified by both bioassay and radial immunodiffusion in mouse saliva elicited by several secretagogues. The concentrations by bioassay of nerve growth factor in both epinephrine- and norepinephrine-induced saliva (3400 and 900 mug/ml, respectively) are higher than reported in any other source. In contrast, the concentrations of nerve growth factor in isoproterenol- and pilocarpine-induced saliva are relatively low (17 and 2 mug/ml, respectively). The specific activity of the salivary nerve growth factor was 41, 36, 2, and 0.6 mug/mg of protein in secretions elicited by epinephrine, norepinephrine, pilocarpine, and isoproterenol, respectively. Salivation after administration of either epinephrine or norepinephrine was completely inhibited by the alpha-adrenergic blocker, phenoxybenzamine. These results suggest that the release of saliva rich in nerve growth factor is primarily regulated through alpha-adrenergic receptors.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000187:drug effects*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D010862:Pilocarpine; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine; D007545:Isoproterenol; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine