Effects of chronic clonidine administration on parasympathetic-evoked rat saliva.
Effects of chronic administration of clonidine on parasympathetic-evoked saliva from both parotid and submandibular glands were investigated. Clonidine at 1 mg/kg/day for 5 or 7 days caused a significant reduction in the salivary secretion (flow rate and total volume) evoked by parasympathetic nerve stimulation of parotid but not submandibular glands. Ion concentrations (Na, K and Ca) of parasympathetically nerve-evoked parotid saliva were not altered. However, the total protein concentration as well as output, amylase activity, and output of such saliva were markedly increased. Possible mechanisms for clonidine-induced increase in nerve-elicited salivary protein concentration include release of neuropeptides, and changes in adrenergic receptor binding which need further study.
D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*
D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D000681:Amylases; D003000:Clonidine