title: Autonomic control of protein production by the parotid gland of the sheep.
abstract: The role of adrenoceptors in the control of parotid salivary function has been investigated in anaesthetized sheep. The enhancement of parotid protein output that occurs when the parasympathetic and sympathetic innervations to the gland are stimulated simultaneously in bursts at a low frequency (20 Hz for 1 s at 10-s intervals) was effectively abolished by pretreatment with propranolol (> or = 1.0 mg kg(-1), i.v., P < 0.001), without a comparable reduction in the flow of saliva or in the output of sodium or potassium. Secretion of protein was similarly augmented by simultaneous stimulation of the sympathetic innervation and an intracarotid infusion of acetylcholine (0.4-0.6 microg min(-1) g gland(-1)). This effect was also abolished by pretreatment with propranolol. Pretreatment with phentolamine (>1.0 mg kg(-1), i.v.) had no effect on the output of protein that occurred during combined stimulation of the parasympathetic and sympathetic innervations but increased the flow of saliva and the output of electrolytes. Stimulation of the parasympathetic innervation to the parotid gland caused a substantial fall in vascular resistance, which was reduced by the administration of atropine (0.5 mg kg(-1)). Stimulation of the sympathetic innervation caused a substantial rise in parotid vascular resistance in atropinized sheep. This effect was greater during continuous stimulation than during intermittent stimulation and enhanced by pretreatment with propranolol. It was virtually eliminated by pretreatment with phentolamine. It is concluded that the enhancement of protein output from the ovine parotid gland, that occurs during combined stimulation of the parasympathetic and sympathetic innervations at relatively low frequencies, depends upon interaction between cholinergic muscarinic and beta-adrenergic receptors. The vasoconstriction that occurs during sympathetic stimulation alone can be accounted for by activation of alpha-adrenoceptors.
authors.affiliation: Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK. ave1000@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Titchen
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011506:Proteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D011506:Proteins; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D001285:Atropine; D012964:Sodium; D011433:Propranolol; D000109:Acetylcholine; D011188:Potassium; D010646:Phentolamine