Effects of sympathectomy on the in vitro alpha and beta-responses of the parotid gland

Water channels and zymogen granules in salivary glands

Salivary secretion occurs in response to stimulation by neurotransmitters released from autonomic nerve endings. The molecular mechanisms underlying the secretion of water, a main component of saliva, from salivary glands are not known; the plasma membrane is a major barrier to water transport. A 28-kDa integral membrane protein, distributed in highly water-permeable tissues, was identified as a water channel protein, aquaporin (AQP). Thirteen AQPs (AQP0 - AQP12) have been identified in mammals. AQP5 is localized in lipid rafts under unstimulated conditions and translocates to the apical plasma membrane in rat parotid glands upon stimulation by muscarinic agonists. The importance of increases in intracellular calcium concentration [Ca(2+)](i) and the nitric oxide synthase and protein kinase G signaling pathway in the translocation of AQP5 is reviewed in section I. Signals generated by the activation of Ca(2+) mobilizing receptors simultaneously trigger and regulate exocytosis. Zymogen granule exocytosis occurs under the control of essential process, stimulus-secretion coupling, in salivary glands. Ca(2+) signaling is a principal signal in both protein and water secretion from salivary glands induced by cholinergic stimulation. On the other hand, the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/cAMP-dependent protein kinase system has a major role in zymogen granule exocytosis without significant increases in [Ca(2+)](i). In section II, the mechanisms underlying the control of salivary protein secretion and its dysfunction are reviewed.

Regulation of phosphorylation of Gi2 alpha protein controls the secretory response to isoproterenol in rat parotid tissues

Treatment of rat parotid tissues with 1 microM isoproterenol (IPR) for 10 min caused a 60% decrease in pertussis toxin (IAP)-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha and resulted in supersensitivity of amylase secretion from the tissues. However, conversely, IPR treatment for 30 min caused a 40% increase in IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha, coupled with desensitization of amylase secretion. No changes in Gs function were observed in IPR-induced phenomena. Pretreatment with okadaic acid induced enhancement of the supersensitivity of amylase secretion and disappearance of the desensitization. These phenomena were accompanied with decreases in IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha. IPR treatment for 30 min caused a 50% decrease in phosphorylation of Gi2 alpha immunoprecipitated with anti-G protein antiserum (AS/7) from [32P]Pi-labeled cells, but such treatment for 10 min caused a 40% increase in phosphorylation in the cells pretreated with okadaic acid. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of immunoprecipitates with AS/7 by protein kinase A (PKA) and alkaline phosphatase caused decreases and increases in IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation, respectively, indicating the presence of PKA-mediated phosphorylation sites on Gi2 alpha. Thus, the control of the phosphorylation of Gi2 alpha is of importance and relevance in the regulation of biological processes and cellular responses.

Mechanism of isoproterenol-induced heterologous desensitization of mucin secretion from rat submandibular glands. Regulation of phosphorylation of Gi proteins controls the cell response to the subsequent stimulation

Short-term treatment of rat submandibular tissues with 10 microM isoproterenol (IPR) resulted in reduction of mucin secretion in response to the agonist during further incubation, and in increases in EC50 values. This IPR-induced reduction of secretion was coupled with selective decreases in the number of beta-adrenoceptors in the tissues and in their affinity for agonists, as assessed by measurement of the specific binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol. Treatment of the tissues with IPR caused a 30% decrease in IPR-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and a 25% increase in the GTP binding capacity of inhibitory G proteins (Gi proteins). This IPR treatment triggered a 60% increase in the ability of pertussis toxin (IAP) to catalyze ADP-ribosylation of Gi proteins in the tissue membranes. Enhanced function of stimulatory G proteins (Gs proteins) was observed only during the first incubation of the tissues with IPR. The IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi proteins in tissues treated with IPR was decreased by prior treatment with cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase, but was increased markedly by prior treatment with alkaline phosphatase. Neither IPR-induced desensitization of protein secretion nor increase in the IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi proteins was observed in the tissues pretreated with 0.25 microM okadaic acid. These findings suggest that the regulation of Gi protein phosphorylation plays an important role in the IPR-induced heterologous desensitization of mucin secretion from rat submandibular glands.

Effects of continuous light on rat parotid gland structure and reactivity

The effects of continuous light on ultrastructural organization and sympathetic secretory responses of the rat parotid gland are reported. After 50 days of continuous light exposure, the fine structure of the parotid gland exhibited features of enhanced secretory activity as judged by the striking development of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes, the depletion of secretory granules and the increased turnover of secretory cells. The secretory responses of parotid gland to isoproterenol revealed that continuous light induced a 30% increase in amylase release. This secretory hyperactivity appears to be related to a postsynaptic supersensitivity of sympathetic fibers of the autonomic nervous system.

Dopamine actions in vitro on enzyme and electrolyte secretion from normal and sympathectomized rat parotid glands

1. Adult rats were denervated unilaterally by removal of the left superior cervical ganglion or chemically denervated with 6-hydroxydopamine or reserpine. Two weeks later the parotid glands were used for in vitro secretory studies and their catecholamines and major metabolites were measured. 2. Noradrenaline concentrations were reduced 2 weeks after surgical sympathectomy and reserpine pre-treatment 18 h previously, whereas 6-hydroxydopamine pre-treatment for 3 days reduced both noradrenaline and dopamine concentrations. 3. Dopamine caused a prominent amylase release from incubated control glands. However, a subsensitivity for dopamine-induced amylase release was recorded on the denervated side. 4. Dopamine caused a prominent potassium efflux measured as 86Rb+ efflux from control glands, but was without effect in denervated glands. This is in contrast to noradrenaline-induced 86Rb+ efflux which was equally effective in both denervated and control glands. 5. Dopamine caused [3H]noradrenaline efflux in control glands, but was without effect in surgically denervated glands and in glands pre-treated with reserpine or 6-hydroxydopamine. 6. It is concluded that dopamine-induced potassium release is caused by a presynaptic action on noradrenergic nerves, whereas dopamine-induced amylase release has a presynaptic and a postsynaptic component. The results suggest a specific action of dopamine in salivary glands, with different effects on enzyme release and ionic fluxes.

Amylase-secretory responses to sympathetic nerve impulses in the rat parotid gland following partial sympathetic ganglionectomy

Some sympathetic axons reach the parotid gland from the contralateral sympathetic chain. Such contralateral nerves were stimulated and saliva secreted after intravenous injections of methacholine was collected from the parotid duct at various times after removal of the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion. The secretion of amylase caused by sympathetic nerve stimulation was greatly increased three days after the sympathectomy and even more after ten weeks. This effect is attributed to denervation supersensitivity, prejunctional after three days and, in addition, postjunctional later.

Dopamine-induced amylase secretion from rat parotid salivary gland in vitro: an effect mediated via noradrenergic and cholinergic nerves

The effect of dopamine on amylase secretion by rat parotid tissue was examined in vitro. Dopamine induced marked amylase secretion from the tissue in a dose-dependent manner. Its EC50 value was about 4 microM and the maximal response was obtained at a concentration of 100 microM. The dopamine-induced secretion was inhibited by the dopamine-antagonists haloperidol, (+)-butaclamol and spiroperidol. Atropine reduced the dopamine-induced secretion significantly, and physostigmine enhanced the secretion. Parasympathectomy of the gland resulted in a significant decrease in the dopamine-induced secretion, but did not reduce the secretion induced by dopamine with atropine. Dopamine-induced ACh release from parasympathetic nerve terminals in the tissue was studied in tissue preparations that had been loaded with [3H]-choline. Dopamine elicited Ca2+-sensitive tritium release, and dopamine antagonists or parasympathectomy prevented this release. Sympathectomy or reserpine treatment of rats resulted in significant decrease in the dopamine-induced secretion, but increase in noradrenaline (NA)- or isoprenaline-induced secretion. Dopamine-induced NA release was studied by preloading the parotid tissue with [3H]-NA. Dopamine induced Ca2+-sensitive tritium release, and dopamine antagonists or sympathectomy prevented the release. Several lines of circumstantial evidence strongly suggested that dopamine has a specific site for action in the parotid tissue that is independent of NA receptors. In sympathectomized or reserpine-treated glands, atropine completely inhibited the dopamine-induced amylase secretion, suggesting that dopamine did not have a direct effect on postsynapses. These findings indicate that dopamine induces amylase secretion in two indirect ways mediated through ACh and NA released from parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve terminals, respectively.

Comparison of postnatal changes in alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding and adrenergic stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat cerebral cortex

Adrenergic stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis is mediated by the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype in many tissues including the brain. We have investigated the coupling of alpha 1-adrenoceptors to phosphoinositide hydrolysis during ontogeny. Alpha 1-adrenoceptor number and affinity were measured using [3H]prazosin binding in crude membranes of cerebral cortex and compared to the ability of the adrenergic agonists norepinephrine (NE) and phenylephrine (PE) to stimulate the formation of [3H] inositol phosphates from [3H]myo-inositol in brain slices at various ages. The greatest changes in the developmental expression of both the Bmax for [3H]prazosin binding and maximal (10(-4)M) NE- or PE-stimulated [3H]inositol phosphates were observed during the period of 7-21 days of age. No changes in the KD for [3H]prazosin were observed. However, at 14 days of age the EC50 for NE but not PE stimulation of [3H]inositol phosphates was slightly but significantly lower than at later ages. To quantitatively compare these two parameters during ontogeny, data were expressed as a percentage of the adult (greater than 65 day) value. At early ages (7 and 14 days) but not at later ages (21 and 37 days) the percent expression of [3H]prazosin binding sites was significantly greater than the maximal NE-stimulated [3H]inositol phosphates. This suggests that early in neonatal development alpha 1 adrenoceptors in brain are not tightly coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis.

Isoproterenol inhibition of potassium release from rat parotid gland

The mechanism of isoproterenol-induced inhibition of potassium release from rat parotid slices has been determined. Spontaneous potassium release from the slices was significantly inhibited by isoproterenol at concentrations above 10(-6) M. This isoproterenol effect was completely abolished in the presence of propranolol (10(-5) M) and ouabain (10(-3) M) and was abolished during Na+-exclusion from the incubation medium. Isoproterenol caused an enhancement of the microsomal Na+, K+-ATPase activity at concentrations above 10(-5) M, and this activity was inhibited by propranolol (10(-5) M). The stimulatory effect of isoproterenol on the Na+, K+-ATPase exhibited a strong correlation with the inhibition of potassium release on each dose of isoproterenol. Moreover, dibutyryl cyclic AMP at concentrations above 10(-4) M inhibited potassium release in a dose-dependent manner and cyclic AMP caused an enhancement of the microsomal Na+, K+-ATPase activity. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of isoproterenol on potassium release is clearly derived from the elevated Na+, K+-ATPase activity and that it may in part be mediated by cyclic AMP.

Ca2+ dependence of the release of noradrenaline during nerve degeneration in the parotid gland

Amylase secretion "in vitro" was used as an indication of the degeneration activity of sympathetically denervated parotid glands. Seventeen and a half hours after sympathetic denervation, slices of parotid gland released amylase into the incubation medium at a rate higher than that observed for non-denervated glands. The time course of amylase release from denervated glands followed a bell-shaped pattern similar to that observed in other denervated structures. Lowering extracellular Ca2+ to 0.25 mmol/l diminished significantly the release of amylase. Low Ca2+ however, did not decrease the amylase release in response to added noradrenaline. These results indicate that Ca2+ is required for the release of noradrenaline from degenerating nerve endings.

Beta-adrenergic drug induced hyperplasia in the immature rat parotid and submandibular glands

In this study the proliferative response of rat parotid (PRG) and submandibular (SMG) gland acinar cells to beta-adrenergic stimulation with Isoproterenol (a non-selective beta-agonist) or terbutaline (a relatively selective beta 2-agonist) was determined during the 4th-5th postnatal weeks in intact and guanethidine-sympathectomized (Sx) rats. Rats were divided into 2 age groups (21 and 28 days) and 6 experimental groups (control-intact (C), guanethidine-treated (Sx), intact + TER (C + TER), intact + Isoproterenol (C + IPR), guanethidine-treated + TER (Sx + TER), and guanethidine-treated + isoproterenol (Sx + IPR]. Intact and Sx rats were treated with either IPR or TER for 3 days (days 21, 22, and 23 or days 28, 29 and 30). On day 24 or 31 all rats were injected with [3H]-thymidine and killed 1 h later. PRG of Sx and C + TER rats showed no significant differences from controls in wet weight while SMG from Sx rats demonstrated a reduced wet weight compared to C rats. [3H]Thymidine labelling index and mitotic index were not significantly different in Sx and C + TER rats in either PRG or SMG. C + IPR rats showed increased wet weight, labelling and mitotic index compared to controls (P less than 0.01). Sx + IPR increased values over controls (P less than 0.01) and above C + IPR values (P less than 0.01). Sx + TER values were significantly higher than controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Is the modality of the supersensitivity after sympathectomy age and duration dependent?

Sympathetic denervation of the rat parotid gland was performed neonatally or in adult fully developed animals on one side. The contralateral gland served as control. Two and 9 weeks later the glands were used for in vitro amylase secretory studies. The neonatally denervated glands displayed an enhanced response to high concentrations of noradrenaline, without significant changes in the lower concentration range. In adult sympathectomized animals no significant alteration could be recorded in secretory response 9 weeks after denervation. Two weeks after adult ganglionectomy a striking leftward shift of the noradrenaline concentration-response curve was observed without changes in the maximal response. Thus, the modality of the supersensitivity appears to be influenced by the age of the animal when the surgical procedure is performed, as well as by the duration of the denervation.

beta-Adrenoceptor alterations coupled with secretory response in rat parotid tissue

Simultaneous studies on the secretory response of amylase and the neurotransmitter receptors of rat parotid gland, after brief treatment with agonists, showed selective alteration in beta-adrenoceptors with specific change in amylase secretion, suggesting a regulatory role of the receptors in the secretory response. The beta-adrenergic agonist (+/-)-isoprenaline (IPR) stimulated amylase secretion from rat parotid tissues much more than did the same concentration of an alpha-adrenergic or cholinergic agonist. The stimulatory effects of IPR were studied by pre-treating rat parotid tissues with IPR for 10 min and then incubating the tissue in fresh medium for 10 min. Pre-treatment with 10 microM-IPR for 10 min resulted in increased amylase secretion during further incubation with IPR and also in a lower EC50 value of amylase secretion for IPR. This treatment also resulted in selective changes in the number and affinity of beta-adrenoceptors, assessed by measuring binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol (DHA): the maximal binding sites increased from 286/357 f-mole to mg protein and the IC50 value (the concentration for 50% inhibition of specific [3H]DHA binding) of beta-agonists, not antagonists, decreased significantly. An increase in the period of pre-treatment with IPR to 30 min resulted in a decrease in the maximal binding sites of beta-adrenoceptors and a decrease in amylase secretion during further incubation with IPR. Experiments with other agonists showed that supersensitivity of the secretory response was induced specifically by beta-agonists. Binding studies with [3H]WB-4101 and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate showed that alpha-adrenoceptors and muscarinic ACh receptors in rat parotid did not change under the conditions tested. The alteration in beta-adrenoceptors was parallel with a change in amylase secretion after IPR pre-treatment, but not with a change in cyclic AMP content.

Effects of neonatal sympathetic denervation on amylase secretion in the adult rat parotid gland: difference in beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor response

Changes in amylase secretion and cyclic AMP accumulation in response to various secretagogues were studied in parotid glands of adult rats subjected to neonatal sympathetic denervation by unilateral excision of the superior cervical ganglion. Denervation decreased the gland content of amylase and both basal and the stimulated levels of cyclic AMP were elevated. The secretory cells of neonatally denervated glands exhibited enhanced maximal enzyme discharge in response to beta-adrenoceptor agonists. However, the selective beta 1-agonist, prenalterol was not effective in this respect whereas an enhanced maximal secretory response to the beta 2-selective agonist, terbutaline, was particularly prominent. DBcAMP was also more efficient in inducing amylase release from the denervated gland. The result of the present study demonstrate that the usual dominance of the beta 1-adrenoceptor subtype in eliciting amylase release is lost, implying that the differentiation of the beta-adrenoceptor into its subtypes is altered by neonatal sympathetic denervation.

Preponderance for either alpha- or beta-adrenoceptor mediated sensitization in the rat submaxillary gland

The sensitivity of the rat submaxillary gland was examined 3-4 weeks after either parasympathetic decentralization or sympathetic decentralization or denervation. The threshold doses for secretion of saliva of parasympathomimetic (methacholine) and sympathomimetic (noradrenaline, adrenaline, phenylephrine and isoprenaline) drugs were estimated and the amount of saliva secreted in response to supraliminal doses of these drugs was measured. Each type of operation caused the development of a supersensitivity that involved all three types of receptors, i.e. muscarinic cholinoceptors, alpha-adrenoceptors and beta-adrenoceptors. Following parasympathetic decentralization the sensitization was predominantly mediated via alpha-adrenoceptors, and also via cholinoceptors. Following sympathetic decentralization or denervation the postjunctional sensitization was predominantly mediated via beta-adrenoceptors; most of the supersensitivity to noradrenaline, adrenaline and phenylephrine found after sympathetic denervation was of the prejunctional type. An increase in receptor density and an intracellular arrangement where the response of cholinoceptors and alpha-adrenoceptors is mediated via one pathway and the response of beta-adrenoceptors via another are suggested as factors that may be of importance for the development of the postjunctional supersensitivity. The present study shows that the traffic of secretory impulses in the sympathetic nerve is of importance for the level of sensitivity of the secretory cells. Since postjunctional supersensitivity following sympathetic denervation did not exceed that following sympathetic decentralization it is suggested that under normal conditions a continuous release of noradrenaline from the nerve endings is of little importance for the level of sensitivity.

Chronic sympathetic denervation increases muscarinic cholinoceptor binding in the rat submaxillary gland

Superior cervical ganglionectomy was found to produce a large decrease in the cocaine-sensitive accumulation of 3H-noradrenaline in the rat submaxillary gland, indicating an effective sympathetic denervation. Six weeks after unilateral denervation the muscarinic cholinoceptor binding of 3H-QNB was increased by over 50% compared to the contralateral, innervated gland. There were no differences in the Kd values between the innervated and denervated glands. These results suggest that changes in muscarinic cholinoceptor density might be in part responsible for the postsynaptic supersensitivity to cholinoceptor agonists observed after chronic sympathetic denervation.

Effects of sympathectomy on the in vivo alpha and beta-responses of the parotid gland

Salivary secretion in response to noradrenaline and isoprenaline was measured in innervated and chronically sympathectomized parotid glands of the rat. In innervated glands, the responses to isoprenaline lasted longer than those to noradrenaline. Chronic sympathetic denervation enhanced the responses to both noradrenaline and isoprenaline. The magnitude of the supersensitivity to isoprenaline was related to the dose and the time at which the responses were analyzed. Supersensitivity was greater for the initial than for the total secretion elicited by isoprenaline. Propranolol (1 mg/kg) and phentolamine (5 mg/kg) were used in order to determine the relative participation of alpha and beta-adrenoceptors in the enhanced responses to isoprenaline. The results suggest that postjunctional supersensitivity for the secretory responses of this organ to isoprenaline is mainly mediated through beta-adrenoceptors of the secretory cells and alpha-adrenoceptors of the myoepithelial cells.