[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)]

Possible involvement of parotid beta-adrenergic receptors in the etiology of sialadenosis

The concentration of beta-adrenergic receptors was determined in rat and human parotid glands, in normal tissue as well as after sympathetic denervation of the rat, and in human sialadenosis. Receptor levels were clearly elevated after denervation of the rat and in sialadenosis. The possible implications of these findings for the etiology of human sialadenosis are discussed.

Effects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor blockade on the isoamylases of rat-parotid gland

The in vivo activity of rat-parotid isoamylases was increased following alpha-receptor block by phentolamine. Additional inhibition of the beta-receptors by propranolol did not further augment the isoenzyme activities. After 21 days, the isoamylase concentrations were even lower than after alpha-receptor block alone. Based upon these results, an alpha-receptor mediated discharge from the duct system of already secreted gland protein and a possible role of the alpha-receptors in protein secretion from the parotid gland are discussed.

[The "stimulatory proteodyschylia" in the amitriptylin (Laroxyl) treated rat parotid gland. Experiments on the effect of antidepressive pharmacotherapy on the parotid glands of the rat (author's transl)]

The activity of total amylase and isoamylases in the rat parotid gland is reduced by treatment with Amitriptylin (Laroxyl) for 3 and 7 days while the protein content of the glands remains constant. These changes are no longer visible after treatment for 21 days and following a period without drug application. To differentiate the disturbances of protein secretion (proteodyschylia) prominent in the clinical picture of sialadenosis, the following classification is proposed. We suggest the term "stimulatory proteodyschylia" for a decrease of acinar amylolytic activity, here caused by Amitriptylin application, as opposed to the "inhibitory proteodyschylia" characterized by an acinar amylase congestion.

Differential diagnosis of xerostomia by quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy

A new and rapid method of quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy has been developed. The uptake of pertechnetate in the glandular tissue and in a reference area in the neck are measured. The ratio between these measurements gives an index of salivary gland activity. By using this activity index, quantitative information on the functional state of the parotid and submandibular glands can be obtained. In cases of xerostomia such measurements may be particularly helpful in differentiating Sjögren's syndrome and sialosis and hence in the choice of appropriate treatment.

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.