title: Effects of calcitonin on elemental distribution and ultrastructure of rat submandibular gland acinar cells.
abstract: The effect of calcitonin on rat submandibular gland acinar cells was investigated by X-ray microanalysis and electron microscopy. Calcitonin caused a transient increase of the cellular calcium and magnesium concentration, but did not affect the intracellular concentration of other electrolytes. The relative volume of intracellular mucus increased from 45% in control glands to 72% at 6 h after administration of calcitonin. Calcitonin caused an inhibition of the cellular response of the acinar cells to beta-adrenergic and cholinergic agonists. The changes in elemental composition and ultrastructure of the gland cells are probably due to inhibition of mucus release from the cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D010862:Pilocarpine; D002116:Calcitonin; D007545:Isoproterenol; D002118:Calcium