title: Reinnervated nerves contribute to the secretion function and regeneration of denervated submandibular glands in rabbits.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the contribution of redistributed nerves in the secretory function and regeneration of a denervated submandibular gland (SMG). The postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic denervated SMGs of rabbits were wrapped in polyester or acellular dermal matrices to block nerve regeneration either partially or completely. Submandibular glands were removed 4, 8, 16, and 24 wk after the operation and examined histologically. Furthermore, the aquaporin-5 (AQP5), muscarinic-3 (M3), and β1-adrenergic receptors were evaluated by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. After denervation, salivary flow was decreased and acinar cells were atrophic, and the expression levels of the M3, β1-adrenergic, and AQP5 receptors were decreased. However, both impaired secretion function and atrophic parenchyma were gradually ameliorated with the growing redistribution of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves. Apoptosis was markedly inhibited and expression of the M3, β1-adrenergic, and AQP5 receptors was increased after reinnervation. In contrast, SMGs without reinnervated nerves maintained hyposecretion and atrophic parenchyma. In conclusion, reinnervated nerves in a rabbit's denervated SMG played an important role in the secretion function and regeneration of SMGs via up-regulation of the expression of neurotransmitter receptors and AQP5.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Si-en
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yu-xiong
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Guang-sen
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Yu-jie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Gui-qing
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: D062088:Acellular Dermis; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D051402:Aquaporin 5 / Q000032:analysis; D001284:Atrophy; D003714:Denervation / Q000379:methods*; D015171:Ganglionectomy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D017764:Parasympathectomy / Q000379:methods; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D043587:Receptor, Muscarinic M3 / Q000032:analysis; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 / Q000032:analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D051402:Aquaporin 5; D011091:Polyesters; D043587:Receptor, Muscarinic M3; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1
keywords: receptor; regeneration; reinnervation; secretion; submandibular gland