title: Immunohistochemical and morphometric investigations of the influence of botulinum toxin on the submandibular gland of the rat.
abstract: Immunohistochemical methods were used to study the effects of botulinum toxin A on the concentration of acetylcholinesterase in the submandibular gland of the rat. The toxin was injected into the glands of healthy adult female Wistar rats and immunohistochemistry performed on the excised organs. Morphometric measurements were also carried out to study changes of cell morphology after local applications of botulinum toxin A. Compared with untreated glands or glands injected with saline there was a decrease of acetylcholinesterase in the glands treated with botulinum toxin. As the cholinergic pathway of the autonomic nervous systems plays an important role in eliciting secretion from the salivary glands, inhibition of secretion by local application of botulinum toxin could be considered a therapeutic option for the treatment of various diseases affecting salivary gland function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ellies
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laskawi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Götz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arglebe
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tormählen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A