Methacholine-stimulated release of benzoyl-arginine-ethylester esterase from mouse submandibular gland cells

Kininogenase secretion from dispersed cells of mouse submandibular gland

Kininogenase activity in both male and female submandibular gland (SMG) began to increase at 4 weeks of age and reached a peak at 6 weeks of age, and then showed a stable level of activity until 10 weeks of age. The release of kininogenase was stimulated via activation of alpha-adrenoceptors alone in male SMG and via both alpha-adrenoceptors and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in female SMG. This indicates that there is a marked difference between male and female SMG in response to methacholine, e.g., the less granular convoluted tubule (GCT) there is in the SMG, the higher is the percentage release of kininogenase evoked by methacholine. It is suggested from these data that the site of localization of kininogenase in the male and female mouse submandibular gland is different; probably predominantly in the GCT in the male and in the striated duct in the female.

Release of kallikrein-like esterase and tonin from dispersed cells of the rat submandibular gland

Viable dispersed cell preparations of rat submandibular gland were obtained by a tissue-dissociation procedure using collagenase and gentle mechanical force. The cells released kallikrein-like esterase in a time- and calcium-dependent manner in response to noradrenaline (10 microM) at 30 degrees C. The net loss of kallikrein-like esterase content from the dispersed cells corresponded with the increase in kallikrein-like esterase activity in the suspending medium at all concentrations of noradrenaline. These results indicate the viability and functional integrity of this dispersed cell preparation of rat submandibular gland. alpha-Adrenoceptor agonists such as noradrenaline stimulated kallikrein-like esterase and tonin release in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline and cholinoceptor agonist methacoline were both inactive. Noradrenaline-induced release of kallikrein-like esterase and tonin were completely blocked by prior addition of the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, phenoxybenzamine. It is concluded that the secretion of kallikrein-like esterase and tonin in rat submandibular gland is mediated only via stimulation of alpha-adrenoceptors.