title: Effects of beta-adrenergic agonists in the parotid gland of the rat--an electrophysiological study.
abstract: The effects of some beta-adrenergic agonists were studied in the parotid gland of the rat by electrophysiological techniques. In the unoperated gland, isoprenaline caused depolarizations which were slowly developing, long-lasting and of low amplitude. The same response was seen when noradrenaline was combined with alpha-adrenoceptor blocking drugs. A greater number of cells responded to this combination than to isoprenaline. After either parasympathetic or sympathetic denervation 1-3 weeks in advance, to induce supersensitivity, the number of cells responding to beta-adrenoceptor stimulating drugs was significantly increased. In the latter case the threshold dose required to evoke a response was also significantly lowered. Atropine did not have any effect on the isoprenaline-evoked response. The combined parasympathetic and sympathetic denervation did not further increase the responsiveness. It is concluded that beta-adrenoceptor stimulation in the parotid gland of the rat may cause membrane depolarizations. The response is mediated by beta 1-adrenoceptors. The responsiveness is increased in the denervated gland. Secretory studies have demonstrated a supersensitivity to beta-adrenergic agonists as a result of denervation. On the other hand, beta-adrenoceptor stimulation is believed mainly to activate the adenylate cyclase/cyclic AMP system independent of membrane potential changes. It is thus not known if the present 'supersensitivity' is correlated to the increased secretory response earlier demonstrated in this gland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thesleff
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003714:Denervation; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000294:innervation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D007545:Isoproterenol; D013726:Terbutaline; D009638:Norepinephrine