title: gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase activity of rat submandibular gland after pilocarpine stimulation.
abstract: gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) activity of the rat submandibular gland was studied after pilocarpine stimulation. After a single i.p. dose pilocarpine or physiologic saline the animals were sacrificed in intervals within 24 h p.i. The glands were homogenized and enzyme activity was calculated by measuring the release of p-nitroanilid per minute where rates of product formation were linear towards time and DNA-concentration. The specific activity of gamma-GT rapidly declined after pilocarpine injection until 3-6 h p.i. when a plateau stage was seen. During 6-24 h p.i. the gamma-GT activity slowly increased but never reached the original level. The controls receiving physiologic saline showed only a slight reduction of gamma-GT activity. However, in the control animals the initial level of enzyme activity was restored after 24 h. A depletion of cellular glutathione by pilocarpine is unlikely to explain the decrease of gamma-GT activity observed. The results indicate that pilocarpine affects the enzyme itself.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Isacsson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010862:Pilocarpine; D004247:DNA; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase