Increased leukotriene concentration in submandibular glands from rats with experimental periodontitis.
OBJECTIVE
In the present study, we investigated the relation between the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and cysteinyl-leukotrienes with mucin release and the sympathetic system in submandibular glands from rats with experimental periodontitis.


METHODS
Submandibular glands from rats with experimental periodontitis.


METHODS
For the first experiment, rats were treated with hydrocortisone sc, 1 mg/kg for 3 days. All other experiments were carried out in isolated submandibular glands from untreated rats. Submandibular glands were treated with cysteinyl-leukotrienes, isoproterenol, NDGA, FPL 55712, L-NMMA, Nio, Nz, AMG, indomethacin, DuP 697 and atenolol.


METHODS
Nitric oxide synthase activity, prostaglandin and cysteinyl-leukotriene productions and mucin secretion were determined. The Newman-Keuls statistical test was applied after analysis of variance.


RESULTS
In rats with periodontitis hydrocortisone-induced a 36.6% (P < 0.05) decrease in mucin release. Only cysteinyl-leukotriene production was increased in rats with ligature (79.2%, P < 0.001). Either the inhibition of cysteinyl-leukotriene production or the block of leukotriene receptor abolished the increase in mucin secretion by 25.6% (P < 0.05) and 37% (P < 0.01), respectively, in glands from rats with ligature. On the other hand, the presence of cysteinyl-leukotrienes in the incubation medium induced mucin release from submandibular glands. Atenolol diminished by 24% (P < 0.05), the increase in cysteinyl-leukotrienes observed in rats with periodontitis. Besides, isoproterenol induced cysteinyl-leukotriene production in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In submandibular glands from rats with periodontitis, the increment in mucin release and cysteinyl-leukotrienes production are related events and both are associated with the sympathetic system.
Pharmacology Unit, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. lucila@farmaco.odon.uba.ar
Lucila
L
Busch
Valeria
V
Miozza
Leonor
L
Sterin-Borda
Enri
E
Borda
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000378:metabolism*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D015289:Leukotrienes; D009077:Mucins; D011453:Prostaglandins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D007545:Isoproterenol