Demilune cells of the cat submandibular gland; an unlikely source of kallikrein

The functional significance of kallikrein in the salivary gland remains unclear partially because of uncertainty over its precise cellular localization. Kallikrein was thought to originate in acinar cells, until recent evidence from cat and rat localized it primarily to the ducts. The possibility that salivary kallikrein may also be located in demilune cells was investigated in this study. - The total kallikrein content of cat submandibular glands was found to be substantially reduced by sampathetic nerve stimulation; whereas parasympathetic stimulation had no significant effect. These biochemical findings did not correlate with morphological studies that revealed almost complete depletion of the demilune cells secretory granules after stimulation of either division of the autonomic nerve supply. This lack of correlation makes it unlikely that kallikrein is present in the demilune cell secretory granules.     

Exogenous melatonin: morphology and kallikrein activity of male Syrian hamster submandibular gland

Seven weeks of daily melatonin administration resulted in substantial reduction of convoluted duct cell granule population and kallikrein activity. Some reduction of intercalated duct cell granules was also observed. Testes weight and size was also dramatically reduced. All these changes were not observed after three weeks of melatonin injection.     

Inhibition of secretion and secretory potentials in the submandibular gland of the cat by acetazolamide

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine Hemmung der Speichelflussrate in der Submandibularisdrüse der Katze durch den Kohlensäureanhydratasehemmstoff Acetazolamid hervorgerufen und gleichzeitig eine Hemmung der sekretorischen Potentialunterschiede über Azinuszellmembrane gemessen. Die Sekretionshemmung liesse sich durch die Hemmung der sekretorischen Potentiale, die ein Mass für einen aktiven Anionentransport ist, erklären.

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We are greatly indebted to Dr. N. A.Thorn for his valuable help and criticism throughout this study.

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The work was supported by a grant from the Danish State Research Foundation. — We thank Dr. C.Crone for loan of various equipment supplied by the F. L. Smidth Foundation and the Danish State Research Foundation.     

The localization of kallikrein in the dog and guinea-pig submandibular glands

Summary In the dog and guinea-pig submandibular glands kallikrein seems to be present in the striated duct cells. Following sympathetic nerve and in vivo isoproterenol stimulation of the dog and guinea-pig submandibular gland respectively, there is a reduction of kallikrein concentration. Ultrastructurally this reduction corresponds to the decrease of straited duct secretory granules in both species. Parasympathetic stimulation also causes some release of kallikrein from both species.Supported by Dean's M.R.C. grant to the College of Dentistry.     

Transmembrane secretory potentials in the cat submandibular gland during perfusion with potassium-free and low sodium Locke solutions

Zusammenfassung Während der Perfusion der Submandibulardrüse der Katze mit kaliumfreier Lockelösung oder mit einer Lockelösung, in der das meiste Kochsalz durch Tetraethylammoniumchlorid ersetzt wurde, sind die sekretorischen Potentialdifferenzen der basalen Azinuszellmembran vergrössert. Ein Kaliumstrom aus der Azinuszelle, der teilweise von einem Natriumstrom in die Zelle kurzgeschlossen wird, könnte die sekretorischen Potentialdifferenzen erklären.

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With the technical assistance of G.Pedersen.     

The effect of a bradykinin antagonist on vasodilator responses with particular reference to the submandibular gland of the cat

Summary A bradykinin analogue, D-Arg[Hyp³, Thi^{5, 8}, D-Phe⁷]-Bk, antagonized the vasodilator effect of bradykinin injected close-arterially in the submandibular salivary gland of the cat, without affecting that due to acetylcholine or nerve stimulation. The same analogue also antagonized the hypotensive response to bradykinin injected intravenously in cats and rabbits. We conclude that functional hyperaemia in the submandibular gland of the cat is not due to the release of bradykinin by salivary kallikrein.     

The effect of a bradykinin antagonist on vasodilator responses with particular reference to the submandibular gland of the cat

A bradykinin analogue, D-Arg[Hyp3, Thi5,8, D-Phe7]-Bk, antagonized the vasodilator effect of bradykinin injected close-arterially in the submandibular salivary gland of the cat, without affecting that due to acetylcholine or nerve stimulation. The same analogue also antagonized the hypotensive response to bradykinin injected intravenously in cats and rabbits. We conclude that functional hyperaemia in the submandibular gland of the cat is not due to the release of bradykinin by salivary kallikrein.     

Virus-like particles in the opossum submandibular gland

Summary Numerous inclusion bodies (virus-like particles) were observed in the lumina of the intercellular canaliculi, mucous tubules and intralobular ducts of the opossum submandibular gland. The particles are spherical in outline, show an electron dense core, and are surrounded by a peripheral membrane.     

Secretory potentials,potassium transport and secretion in the cat submandibular gland during perfusion with sulphate Locke's solution

Zusammenfassung Es wird gezeigt, dass während der Perfusion der Submandibularis-Drüse der Katze mit chloridfreier Sulfatlösung die sekretorischen Potentialdifferenzen der Azinuszellmembran unverändert bleiben und dass inzwischen die Sekretion und der Kaliumtransport von der Drüse zur Perfusionsflüssigkeit völlig aufhört.     

Effect of nerve stimulation,denervation, and duct ligation,on kallikrein content and duct cell granules of the cat's submandibular gland

Summary Various procedures which reduce or deplete the kallikrein content of the cat's submandibular gland correspondingly reduce the number of apical granules in the striated duct cells. The kallikrein content is greatly reduced after chronic parasympathetic but not after sympathetic nerve section which suggests that the parasympathetic innervation is required for synthesis or storage of this enzyme.We wish to acknowledge the valuable assistance of Dr T. Nihei and Mr. J. Wimal in some of the enzyme measurements.This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada and the Alberta Heart Foundation.     

Cytomegalovirus-like particles in the red-backed vole submandibular gland

Summary Cytomegalovirus-like particles were observed in the acinarcells and in the intralobular ducts, of the submandibular gland of the red-backed vole. The particles were target-shaped, had a glycoprotein-positive, electron-dense central core, and the core was surrounded by a protein-rich layer and glycoprotein-positive outer layer.     

Genetic variation in esteroproteases in the mouse submandibular gland

Summary 9 isozymes of esteroproteases were detected by column isoelectric focusing of submandibular gland extracts from four inbred strains of male mice. A marked strain variance in the esteroprotease isozymes was found among the strains.     

Sexually dimorphic response of the mouse submandibular gland to fasting

Summary The submandibular gland of male mice contained 18% more DNA, 34% more RNA and 63% more protein than that of female mice. After a 48-h fasting, the percent loss of gland weight, protein, RNA and DNA was greater in the female than in the male.This study was supported by the U.S. Public Health Service Research Grant CA 17038. The authors are indebted to Mr I. Borcsanyi for his technical assistance.     

Sexually dimorphic response of the mouse submandibular gland to fasting.

The submandibular gland of male mice contained 18% more DNA, 34% more RNA and 63% more protein than that of female mice. After a 48-h fasting, the percent loss of gland weight, protein, RNA and DNA was greater in the female than in the male.     

Blood flow through the parotid gland of the cat

Zusammenfassung Eine Vasodilatation erscheint in der Parotisdrüse der Katze gleichzeitig mit sekretorischer Aktivität (Degenerationssekretion oder Sekretion, hervorgerufen durch Stimulierung der Jacobsonschen Anastomose). Atropin blockiert die Vasodilatation im ersten, nicht aber im zweiten Falle. Das Resultat weist auf spezifische Vasodilatatoren hin.