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Sampaio LV, Landim HRDS, Vazão AR, Fiais GA, de Freitas RN, Veras ASC, Dornelles RCM, Fakhouri WD, Lima RR, Teixeira GR, Chaves-Neto AH. Effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone cypionate on salivary gland function in adult male Wistar rats. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 243:106587. [PMID: 39004377 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The abusive use of anabolic androgenic steroids has become a serious health problem worldwide, but its effects on oral health are still poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone cypionate (TC) on salivary biochemical, histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, and redox state parameters of parotid and submandibular glands. Twenty male Wistar rats, 12 weeks old, were divided into two groups (n=10/group): a control group and TC group, which received a dose of 20 mg/kg, once a week, for 6 weeks. Post treatment, the saliva and glands were collected. A supraphysiological dose of TC increased plasma and salivary testosterone concentrations. Although TC did not alter salivary flow, pH, and buffering capacity, the treatment increased the salivary secretion of total protein and reduced amylase, calcium, phosphate, and potassium. TC reduced the connective tissue area in the parotid gland and acinar area of the submandibular gland, while increasing the granular convoluted tubule area in the submandibular gland. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was higher in the acinar cells of the submandibular glands from the TC group. Moreover, TC increased concentrations of total oxidant capacity and damaged lipids in both salivary glands, while total antioxidant activity and uric acid were lower in the submandibular gland, and reduced glutathione was higher in both glands. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were higher in the parotid gland, while only glutathione peroxidase activity was lower in the submandibular gland of the TC group. In conclusion, TC abuse may be a potential factor for dysfunction of the parotid and submandibular glands, becoming a risk factor for the oral and systemic health of users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Victorino Sampaio
- Department of Basic Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil; Multicentric Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, SBFis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil
| | | | - Arieli Raymundo Vazão
- Department of Basic Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Sciences, Pediatric Oral Health, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Alice Fiais
- Department of Basic Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil; Multicentric Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, SBFis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Rayara Nogueira de Freitas
- Department of Basic Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Sciences, Pediatric Oral Health, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Allice Santos Cruz Veras
- Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Technology and Sciences, Presidente Prudente, Brazil; Multicentric Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, SBFis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Rita Cassia Menegatti Dornelles
- Department of Basic Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil; Multicentric Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, SBFis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Walid D Fakhouri
- Center for Craniofacial Research, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para (UFPA), Belem, Brazil
| | - Giovana Rampazzo Teixeira
- Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Technology and Sciences, Presidente Prudente, Brazil; Multicentric Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, SBFis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Antonio Hernandes Chaves-Neto
- Department of Basic Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil; Multicentric Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, SBFis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Brazil.
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Wang A, Chao T, Ji Z, Xuan R, Liu S, Guo M, Wang G, Wang J. Transcriptome analysis reveals potential immune function-related regulatory genes/pathways of female Lubo goat submandibular glands at different developmental stages. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9947. [PMID: 33083113 PMCID: PMC7547598 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The submandibular glands, as major salivary glands, participate in rumen digestion in goats. Sialic acid, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactoferrin and other biologically active substances secreted in the submandibular glands were reported in succession, which suggests that the submandibular gland may have immune functions in addition to participating in digestion. The aim of this study was to map the expression profile of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at three different stages by transcriptome sequencing, screen immune-related genes and pathways by bioinformatics methods, and predict the immune function of submandibular glands at different developmental stages. Methods Nine submandibular gland tissue samples were collected from groups of 1-month-old kids, 12-month-old adolescent goats and 24-month-old adult goats (3 samples from each group), and high-throughput transcriptome sequencing was conducted on these samples. The DEGs among the three stages were screened and analysed. Key genes and signalling pathways were selected via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Results The results revealed 2,706, 2,525 and 52 DEGs between 1-month-old and 12-month-old goats, between 1-month-old and 24-month-old goats, and between 12-month-old and 24-month-old goats, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that most of the DEGs were enriched in immune- related GO terms and pathways. Based on functional enrichment analysis and network analysis, 10 genes (PTPRC, CD28, SELL, LCP2, MYC, LCK, ZAP70, ITGB2, SYK and CCR7), two signalling pathways (the T cell receptor signalling pathway and the NF-κβ signalling pathway) and eight GO terms (T cell receptor signalling pathway, neutrophil mediated immunity, B cell mediated immunity, regulation of alpha-beta T cell activation, positive regulation of T cell proliferation, regulation of leukocyte differentiation, positive regulation of antigen receptor-mediated signalling pathway, positive regulation of lymphocyte proliferation) that may play key roles in the immune functions of the goat submandibular glands at different developmental stages were identified. Moreover, we found that eight antibacterial peptide-encoding genes were downregulated in the tuberculosis and salivary secretion pathways, while all immunoglobulins were upregulated in 10 immune system pathways. These findings indicate that the submandibular glands may be important immunological organs during the growth process of goats and that the immune function of these glands gradually weakens with age up to 12 months but remains relatively stable after 12 months of age. Overall, this study will improve our understanding of transcriptional regulation related to goat submandibular gland immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aili Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Tianle Chao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Zhibin Ji
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Rong Xuan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Maosen Guo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Guizhi Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
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Thyroidectomy induces thyroglobulin formation by parotid salivary glands in rats. Acta Histochem 2020; 122:151568. [PMID: 32622429 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2020.151568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Structural changes in parotid gland (PG) were previously reported following ablation of thyroid gland. However, the functional alterations (especially for proteins) have not been elucidated yet. Herein, we investigated the effect of rat thyroidectomy on PG structure and protein content and studied the ability of thyroxin-supplementation to alleviate the associated structural and functional changes. Male young adult 4-month old albino rats (n = 48) were allocated equally into 4 groups (control, sham-operated, thyroidectomized, and thyroxin-supplemented). PGs were examined histologically, and their proteins expression and localization were analyzed using western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively at 3 w and 5 w post-surgery. Functionally, PGs of thyroidectomized rats formed a newly expressed 300 KDa protein, which was confirmed to be thyroglobulin (TG) by WB and IHC, with higher expression at 5 w. TG was localized in the interstitium, within capillaries, in the cytoplasm of the intralobular ductal cells, in the secretory products within the ductal lumen, and in the cytoplasm of individual small cells at the periphery of the acini. This functional change accompanied by structural changes in PGs (presence of dark and light acinar cells, TG-like colloid material, and high periductal vasculature). Noteworthy, PG of the thyroxin-supplemented depicted vanishment of TG. From these data, it could be concluded that thyroidectomy could alter the morphology and function of the parotid that induce a thyroid-like reprogramming of the parotid to secrete TG and thyroxin supplementation could alleviate this effect.
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Matoba Y, Nonaka N, Takagi Y, Imamura E, Narukawa M, Nakamachi T, Shioda S, Banks WA, Nakamura M. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide enhances saliva secretion via direct binding to PACAP receptors of major salivary glands in mice. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2016; 299:1293-9. [PMID: 27339371 DOI: 10.1002/ar.23388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common syndrome that is generally treated with artificial saliva; however, no other effective methods have yet been established. Saliva secretion is mainly under the control of the autonomic nervous system. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is recognized as a multifunctional neuropeptide in various organs. In this study, we examined the effect of PACAP on saliva secretion, and detected the distribution of the PACAP type 1 receptor (PAC1R) in major salivary glands, including the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, in 9-week-old male C57BL/6 mice. Intranasal administration of PACAP 38 increased the amount of saliva secreted, which was not inhibited by atropine pretreatment. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that PAC1R was distributed in the three major salivary glands. In the parotid and sublingual glands, PAC1R was detected in striated duct cells, whereas in the submandibular gland, a strong PAC1R immunoreaction was detected in tall columnar epithelial cells in the granular ducts (i.e., pillar cells), as well as in some striated duct cells. PACAP significantly increased the concentration of epidermal growth factor in saliva. These results suggest that PACAP directly regulates saliva secretion by controlling the absorption activity in the ducts, and that pillar cells regulate the function of granular epithelial cells in the granular duct, such as the secretion of growth factors into the saliva. Collectively, these results suggest the possibility of PACAP as a new effective treatment of xerostomia. Anat Rec, 299:1293-1299, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Matoba
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Oral Surgery, Yokohama General Hospital, Aoba-Ku, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Naoko Nonaka
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yoshitoki Takagi
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eisaku Imamura
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Oral Surgery, Yokohama General Hospital, Aoba-Ku, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masayuki Narukawa
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoya Nakamachi
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Japan
| | - Seiji Shioda
- Global Research Center for Innovative Life Science, Hoshi University, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - William A Banks
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Masanori Nakamura
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Chen G, Zou Y, Zhang X, Xu L, Hu Q, Li T, Yao C, Yu S, Wang X, Wang C. β-Actin protein expression differs in the submandibular glands of male and female mice. Cell Biol Int 2016; 40:779-86. [PMID: 27079296 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
β-actin, a cytoskeletal protein, is the most widely used housekeeping gene. Although housekeeping genes are expressed in all tissues, the β-actin gene is expressed in certain cell types because of differential binding of transcriptional factors to the regulatory elements of the gene. The expression and localization of β-actin protein in the submandibular glands (SMG) of mice were investigated in this study, using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. In ICR and C57BL/6J mice, the levels of β-actin protein in the SMG of females are significantly higher than those in the SMG of males. β-actin protein is majorly distributed in acinar cells of SMG. There is no significant difference in the expression level of β-actin protein between females and castrated males. After castrated male ICR mice are treated with 10 mg/kg/day testosterone propionate (TP) for 3 weeks, the levels of β-actin protein in SMG decrease. The numbers of duct per unit area increase, whereas the numbers of acinus per unit area decrease after TP administration. These data suggest that β-actin protein is mainly distributed in acinar cells of SMG and results in a marked sexual dimorphism in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ye Zou
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, 201508, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingfei Xu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiaoyun Hu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenjuan Yao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shali Yu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoke Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu, China
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Kouidhi W, Desmetz C, Nahdi A, Bergès R, Cravedi JP, Auger J, May ME, Canivenc-Lavier MC. In Utero and Lactational Exposure to Low-Dose Genistein-Vinclozolin Mixture Affects the Development and Growth Factor mRNA Expression of the Submandibular Salivary Gland in Immature Female Rats. Toxicol Pathol 2012; 40:593-604. [DOI: 10.1177/0192623311436183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
It has been suggested that hormonally controlled submandibular salivary gland (SSG) development and secretions may be affected by endocrine disruptor compounds. We investigated the effects of oral gestation-lactation exposure to 1 mg/kg body weight daily dose of the estrogenic soy-isoflavone genistein and/or the anti-androgenic food contaminant vinclozolin in female rats. The SSGs of female offspring were collected at postnatal day 35 to study gland morphogenesis and mRNA expression of sex-hormone receptors and endocrine growth factors as sex-dependent biomarkers. Because of high expression in neonatal SSG, mRNA expression of transforming growth factor α was also studied. Exposure to genistein, vinclozolin, or a genistein+vinclozolin mixture resulted in significantly lower numbers of striated ducts linked to an increase in their area and lower acinar proliferation (Ki-67–positive nuclei). Exposure to the mixture had the highest significant effects, which were particularly associated with repression of epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, and transforming growth factor α expression. In conclusion, early exposure to low doses of genistein and vinclozolin can affect glandular structure and endocrine gene mRNA expression in prepubertal SSG in female rats, and the effects are potentialized by the genistein+vinclozolin mixture. Our study provides the first evidence that SSG are targeted by both estrogenic and anti-androgenic disrupting compounds and are more sensitive to mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wided Kouidhi
- Research Unit no 01/UR/08-07, Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia
- INRA, UMR-1324 CSGA, Dijon, France
| | | | - Afef Nahdi
- Research Unit no 01/UR/08-07, Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | | | - Jacques Auger
- Service d’Histologie-Embryologie, Biologie de la Reproduction et CECOS, Hôpital Cochin Paris, France
| | - Michèle El May
- Research Unit no 01/UR/08-07, Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia
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Jia YH, Cui ZJ. Tri-phasic modulation of ACh- and NA-maintained calcium plateau by high potassium in isolated mouse submandibular granular convoluted tubular cells. Arch Oral Biol 2011; 56:1347-55. [PMID: 21704303 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2011.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Revised: 04/20/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The fact that submandibular glands secrete a large amount of potassium ion upon nerve stimulation has long been recognized, but a physiological role for such high potassium in the saliva has never been systematically investigated. In the present work, high potassium effect has been investigated in the freshly isolated mouse submandibular granular convoluted tubules. DESIGN Isolated intact mouse submandibular granular convoluted tubules were loaded with Fura-2, and cytosolic calcium concentration in individual tubular cells was measured by microscopic fluorospectrometry. RESULTS It was found that high potassium had no effect on basal cytosolic calcium concentration, but had a tri-phasic modulation of the calcium plateau maintained by continued stimulation by acetylcholine (ACh) or noradrenaline (NA): a minor initial transient depression, followed by steady increase, completed by a robust calcium rebound spike upon removal of high potassium. The phase of steady increase was blocked without major effect on the plateau by KB-R 7943, a sodium/calcium exchange (NCX) inhibitor. CONCLUSION These data together suggest that high potassium in saliva bathing the mouse submandibular granular convoluted tubular cells has a potent feedback effect on ACh and NA stimulation, and sodium/calcium exchange is likely to play a major role in this process. Such positive feedback actions of high potassium may suggest a role for enhancing ACh- or NA-stimulated protein factor secretion from the granulated convoluted tubular cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hong Jia
- Institute of Cell Biology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Okamura K, Kato K, Uchida R, Ohkubo T, Taniguchi K, Yamazaki J. Specific expression of salivary maxi-K channel variant is augmented in diabetic mice. Arch Oral Biol 2010; 55:848-54. [PMID: 20732675 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2010.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2010] [Revised: 06/04/2010] [Accepted: 07/28/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE A genetically diabetic mouse strain (db/db) exhibits severe obesity and a syndrome resembling human non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Our histological study of submandibular glands revealed that the size and area of the granular convoluted tubules was substantially decreased in db/db mice. We hypothesized that this structural difference reflected a specific alteration in salivary duct function. METHODS The saliva evoked by pilocarpine was used for the measurement of ion concentrations, and submandibular glands were dissected out for the immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR study. RESULTS The K(+) concentration of the salivary secretion was higher in db/db than in control m+/m+ mice, while neither saliva volume nor the concentrations of Na(+) or Cl⁻ differed between these strains. In db/db mice (vs. m+/m+ mice): quantitative PCR analysis revealed an increased mRNA expression of large-conductance Ca²(+)-activated K(+) (maxi-K) channels, immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in the luminal surface expression of the maxi-K channel protein, and a particularly interesting finding was that there was a substantial increase in the salivary tissue-specific splice variant ParSlo. CONCLUSION These results suggest that in db/db mice, the K(+) content of saliva may be elevated due to an expression of a maxi-K channel variant, which results from a modification of ductal structure. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our data may shed some light on the mechanism responsible for determining the dynamics of salivary K(+) concentration increased in diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Okamura
- Department of Morphological Biology, Fukuoka Dental College, Tamura, Sawara-ku, Japan.
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