Osteogenesis bioassay and immunohistochemical and radioisotopic studies of parotin, parotid gland extract, and subunit.
Bioassay data support the hypothesis that the salivary gland participates in endocrine regulation of the development and maintenance of connective tissues. Epiphyseal cartilages become dystrophic in young growing rats after the resection of all major salivary glands. A subunit obtained from parotin, an extract of bovine parotid glands, contains the active agent for the presumed endocrine function of the salivary gland. Daily injections of 3 mg/rat of parotin or the subunit allow normal epiphyseal endochondral osteogenesis in salivary gland-deprived rats. The active agent appears to be secreted by the salivary acinar cells and resorbed through the striated ducts. Pancreatic islets and striated ducts of salivary glands share immunohistochemical activities for insulin, glucagon, and the subunit of parotin. Hyperglycemia and hypocholesterolemia occur in intact rats given 5 mg/day of parotin for 30 days. Together these data suggest endocrine functions of the salivary gland and possible interactions between the pancreatic islet and salivary gland.
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004435:Eating; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
D006728:Hormones; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides