[Reactions of the submandibular salivary gland caused by sialography. Experimental research in dogs]

In order to ascertain the damaging effects on the glandular parenchyma and excretory system of the major salivary glands of sialography using iodate contrast media in an oily vehicle, experiments have been carried out on a group of dogs. Among other compounds, Lipiodol UF and Urovison were used, the former oil-based and the latter water-based. Histological slides of the injected gland made three and four weeks afterwards showed in one animal only the presence of a periductal infiltrate and an intracanalicular formation of hyaline thrombotic type that was not easy to interpret. Lipiodol UF was employed in this case. Comparing these results with the literature, it is concluded that Lipiodol is an irritant, especially if it passes beyond the salivary excretory tree, but this is not enough to have it banned absolutely. Contraindications are reported and the need for correct technique stressed.

Bilateral parotid enlargement ("iodide mumps") following excretory urography

Parotid swelling ("iodide mumps") is an infrequent manifestation of iodism. Only 6 cases have been reported previously. The authors present a case of parotid swelling which appeared to be a reaction to excretory urography.

[Differential diagnosis betwen Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome and sialadenosis using quantitative scintigraphy of the salivary glands]

The symptoms of both Gougerot-Sjögren's syndrome and sialadenosis consist in a reduction of salive and tear production. Sialadenosis is either essential or secondary to the intake of certain drugs. As it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between the two diseases a new quantitative scintigraphic method is proposed, where the activity over the salivary glands is compared with a neutral zone. This method has been validated with control sialography and parotid biopsies and permits an easy differentiation between the two conditions.

[Pseudotumor of the parotid gland as a result of dilatation of the Stenon's duct (author's transl)]

A unilateral dilatation of the parotid duct of Stenon (parotis emphysema, pneumatocele) was observed in a 73-year-old patient. The possible course of development - inflammatory or other known factors excluded - for example by means of leucoceratosis nicotina palati are discussed.

Sialoadenosis produced by drug-treatment of hypertonicity. II. Experimental studies on the effects of guanethidine (Ismelin) on the submaxillary glands of the rat

48 rats were treated with guanethidine (Ismelin) in order to study the side-effects on the submaxillary glands following application of a routinely used antihypertensive substance. In contrast to guanethidine-treated parotid glands, no retention of alpha-amylase was observed. The amylolytic activities of the glands are decreased both after treatment for 24 hrs and when a 3 week treatment had been followed by a 2 week recuperation period. This decrease of total amylase content runs parallel with alterations in the alpha-isoamylase patterns of the submaxillary glands. Furthermore, gland growth is inhibited by the guanethidine-mediated "pharmacological sympathectomy". We interpret these proteodyschylic changes of the submaxillary glands as a pharmacologically induced peripheral neurogenic sialoadenosis.

[Sialoadenosis produced by drug-treatment of hypertonicity. I. Experimental studies on the effects of guanethidine (Ismelin) on the parotid glands of the rat (author's transl)]

48 rats were treated with the antihypertensive drug, guanethidine; its effects on the parotid glands (alpha-amylase content, protein concentration, and isamylase distribution patterns) were investigated. The treatment significantly increased the amylase activity in the gland extracts as well as the concentration of isoamylases and their specific enzyme activities. Moreover, we found a redistribution of activity between the 4 isoamylases of the parotid glands. The observed changes are the manifestations of a proteodyschylia concomitant with a peripheral neurogenic sialoadenosis. The described alterations are fully reversible within two weeks after discontinuation of the guanethidine application.

[On a biochemical model of neurogenic sialosis: studies in rats (author's transl)]

By studying the influence on rat-parotid glands of the antihypertensive drug, guanoxane (Envacar), we attempted to establish a biochemical model of a neurogenic sialosis. Protein content and alpha-amylase activity were determined in gland extracts and in polyacrylamide gel slabs after electrophoretic separation of equal amounts of parotid-gland protein. The values for both parameters showed a marked increase during the first week of treatment as compared with the controls, but decreased subsequently. After electrophoretic separation into 4 isoamylases, the activity per unit protein decreased with time in one group of isoenzymes and increased in another. We interpret these findings as a gradual shift in the isoamylase distribution pattern of the rats' parotid glands with increasing duration of a neurogenic sialosis of the peripheralvegetative type.

Unexpected beta adrenergic effects of the antitumor agent, cyclocytidine, on rat salivary glands

In addition to its potent antileukemic properties, cyclocytidine has a sialogogue action that depends on stimulation of beta adrenergic ereceptors of salivary glands. Furthermore, when chronically administered (for 3 days), cyclocytidine caused enlargement of parotid and submaxillary glands and heart that resembled the hypertrophy caused by chronic isoproterenol administration. The salivas evoked by cyclocytidine also closely resembled those evoked by isoproterenol, and were extremely viscous, and high in K+, (121 plus or minus 5.6, for submaxillary, and 42 plus or minus 2.9, for parotid), low in flow rate (0.007 mg/min times mg) and parotid saliva contained high concentrations of amylase (805 plus or minus 33 mg/mg gland). Cyclocytidine also caused marked emptying of parotid gland amylase. The cyclocytidine-induced salivary flow and gland emptying of amylase were prevented for 90 min when propranolol (but not dibenzyline or atropine) was administered prior to injection of the cyclocytidine. In addition, when the superior cervical ganglion was acutely removed, administration of cyclocytidine elicited salivary flow from the denervated as well as the innervated glands. These findings suggest that cyclocytidine does not affect salivary glands through indirect central or ganglionic actions. Cyclocytidine action does not exclusively involve beta receptors, since even in the presence of propranolol, secretory flow was evident after 90 min but when dibenzyline was given with the propranolol, complete blockade of cyclocytidine-stimulated saliva was effected. The dominant effect is, however, a beta adrenergic one. The undesirable side effects of cyclocytidine (parotid pain, postural hypotension, and cardiac hypertrophy) probably stem chiefly from its beta adrenergic properties and might be eliminated (or at least modified) by administration of propranolol with the cyclocytidine.