title: Immunochemical studies of the insulin-like material in the parotid gland of rats.
abstract: Through the use of radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemical techniques, it was found that the parotid glands of male rats possess a population of cells that contain an insulin-like substance. These cells were situated mainly in groups along the intercalated ducts of the gland, or less frequently as isolated cells dispersed throughout the acini. No cells displaying insulin-like immunoreactivity were observed in the striated or main excretory ducts of the parotid. After intravenous (i.v.) injections of streptozotocin (STZ) there was a marked depletion of insulin from the pancreatic islets of rats having diabetes for a 3-27-day interval. Although this cytotoxin also reduced the amount of insulin extractable from the parotid, it did not destroy the insulin-like immunoreactive cells found in this gland. The results of this study suggest that the parotid may be an important source of extrapancreatic insulin. Moreover, these findings indicate that insulin-immunoreactive cells of this salivary gland are spared from the cytotoxic action of STZ.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007328:Insulin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology; D010452:Peptide Biosynthesis; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D010455:Peptides; D013002:Somatomedins; D013311:Streptozocin