Basal levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and acetylcholine in the submandibular, parotid, and sublingual glands of mice and rats

In Vivo Monitoring of Acetylcholine Release from Nerve Endings in Salivary Gland

Simple Summary

Stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system results in the secretion of saliva. Previous studies have demonstrated acetylcholine content in homogenate obtained from salivary glands. Acetylcholine in homogenate, however, includes that stored in the cells, as well as that released in the interstitial fluid. The activity of the parasympathetic nervous system is mainly determined by the amount of acetylcholine released. We established an in vivo microdialysis method for monitoring the acetylcholine released from nerve endings in the salivary glands in rats. The results of the present study demonstrated that acetylcholine levels in the dialysate reflect acetylcholine levels in the interstitial fluid of the submandibular gland, and that an increase in the acetylcholine level in the dialysate depends predominantly on the release of acetylcholine from the parasympathetic nerve endings.

Abstract

A microdialysis technique was used to monitor acetylcholine levels in the local interstitial fluid in rat submandibular glands, with the aim of determining parasympathetic nerve activity in vivo. The dialysis probe housed a 10 × 0.22 mm semipermeable membrane (molecular weight cutoffs: 50,000 Da). When the probe was perfused at 2 μL/min in vitro, the mean relative recovery of acetylcholine was 41.7% ± 2.5%. The dialysis probes were implanted in the submandibular glands of anesthetized rats and perfusion with Ringer’s solution, at 2 μL/min, was performed. Acetylcholine concentrations in the dialysate were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. The results revealed the following: (1) that mixing Eserine with Ringer’s solution allowed acetylcholine in the salivary glands to be quantified; (2) that acetylcholine concentrations in the dialysate were highly variable and unstable over the first 120 min after probe implantation, but reached a nearly stable level (4.8 ± 2.7 nM) thereafter in the presence of 100 µM of Eserine; and (3) that electrical stimulation of the chorda tympani nerve, or perfusion with high potassium Ringer’s solution, significantly increased acetylcholine concentrations in the dialysate. These results indicate that the present microdialysis technique offers a powerful tool for detecting changes in parasympathetic activity within the salivary glands.

Differences in the Ca2+ response resulting from neurotransmitter stimulations of rat parotid acini and ducts

There are few data available regarding the differences in intracellular Ca2+ responses of parotid acinar and ductal cells. This study investigated the Ca2+ mobilization that was induced by the chemical stimulation of acinar and ductal cells from rat parotid glands. In fura-2 loaded parotid cells, carbachol increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) to a greater extent in the acinar cells than in the ductal cells, but noradrenaline increased the [Ca2+](i) in the ductal cells more than in the acinar cells. Although there was no difference in the alpha1-adrenergic receptor agonist phenylephrine-induced Ca2+ mobilization between acini and ducts, the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol increased the [Ca2+](i) in only the ductal cells. Additionally, the effects of non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurotransmitters were investigated. Substance P and ATP increased the [Ca2+](i) in parotid acini and/or ducts. A substance P-induced Ca2+ response was observed in only acini, while the ATP-induced Ca2+ response was significantly higher in ducts than in acini. These results suggest that parotid acini have a greater sensitivity to cholinergic and substance P stimulation and a lesser sensitivity to beta-adrenergic and ATP stimulation than the ductal cells. In light of these results, substance P and isoproterenol will be useful for identifying parotid acini and ducts, respectively.

Carbon fibre-based microbiosensors for in vivo measurements of acetylcholine and choline

This report describes technical improvements to the manufacture of a carbon fibre electrode for the stable and sensitive detection of H2O2 (detection limit at 0.5 microM). This electrode was also modified through the co-immobilisation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and/or choline oxidase (ChOx) in a bovine serum albumin (BSA) membrane for the development of a sensor for in vivo measurements of acetylcholine and choline. Amperometric measurements were performed using a conventional three-electrode system forming part of a flow-injection set-up at an applied potential of 800-1100 mV relative to an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The optimised biosensor obtained was reproducible and stable, and exhibited a detection limit of 1 microM for both acetylcholine and choline. However, due to the high operating potential used, the biosensor was prone to substantial interference from other electroactive compounds, such as ascorbic acid. Therefore, in a further step, a mediated electron transfer approach was used that incorporated horseradish peroxidase into an osmium-based redox hydrogel layered onto the active surface of the electrode. Afterwards, a Nafion layer and a coating containing AChE and/or ChOx co-immobilised in a BSA membrane were successively deposited. This procedure further increased the selectivity of the biosensor, when operated in the same flow-injection system but at an applied potential of -50 mV relative to an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The sensor exhibited good selectivity and a high sensitivity over a concentration range (0.3-100 microM) suitable for the measurement of choline and acetylcholine in vivo.

Stimulation of the α-adrenoceptor triggers the venom production cycle in the venom gland of Bothrops jararaca

The noradrenergic innervation of Bothrops jararaca venom gland is thought to be important in the production and secretion of venom. We investigated the characteristics of the α-adrenoceptor in the venom gland and its role in venom production. This receptor had relatively low sensitivity to noradrenaline (pD2=4.77±0.09, N=7)and to phenylephrine (pD2=3.77±0.06, N=11). The receptor became desensitized just after venom extraction (pD2 to phenylephrine fell to 3.27±0.02, N=6) and the sensitivity remained low for at least 15 days, returning to normal 30 days after venom extraction, by which time the snake was ready for a new cycle of venom production. Incubation of secretory cells with noradrenaline(10–4 mol l–1 for 5 min) reducedα-adrenoceptor sensitivity to the level seen after venom extraction. Blockade of catecholamine production with reserpine abolished the enlargement of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the activation of the Golgi apparatus that are normally seen after venom extraction, and the venom production was restored by a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of phenylephrine (100 mg kg–1) immediately after venom extraction. Our data suggest that stimulation of the α-adrenoceptor during or shortly after biting is essential for the onset of the venom production cycle.

Modulation by thyroid hormones of rat parotid amylase secretion stimulated by 5-hydroxytryptamine

The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) upon amylase secretion by rat parotid glands were studied in three groups of animals: (a) intact control rats (euthyroid rats); (b) hypothyroid rats obtained by surgical thyroidectomy 2 wk before the experiments; and (c) hyperthyroid rats obtained by the administration of sodium l-triiodothyronine for 2 wk before the experiments. Hyperthyroid rats showed significantly higher baseline amylase release than control rats. When the glands were stimulated with 5-HT (30 micro m), amylase release was significantly lower in the hypothyroid group and higher in the hyperthyroid rats than in control group. Addition of cholinergic, adrenergic or substance P antagonists did not modify 5-HT-stimulated amylase activity. The effects of 5-HT were partly but significantly blocked by the addition of 10 micro m methysergide (HT1/2/7 receptor blocker) in the three groups of rats. In contrast, 10 micro m ketanserine (HT2A receptor blocker) partly blocked the response to 5-HT only in the hyperthyroid animals. It was concluded that 5-HT induces amylase secretion by rat parotid glands through specific serotoninergic receptors, and that thyroid status modulates the 5-HT effect.

Dual adrenergic control of in vivo choline levels in the mouse major salivary glands

1. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the adrenergic nervous system regulates the in vivo choline levels in the mouse major salivary glands. 2. Methoxamine (alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist, 2.5-20 mg kg-1, s.c.) elevated choline levels dose-dependently and the effect of methoxamine (10 mg kg-1) was completely inhibited by the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (5 mg kg-1, i.p.) but not by the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (3 mg kg-1, i.p.). 3. In contrast, isoprenaline (beta-adrenoceptor agonist 0.25-20 mg kg-1, s.c.) lowered choline levels and the effect of isoprenaline (2 mg kg-1) was inhibited by propranolol, but not by phentolamine. 4 Noradrenaline (1-4 mg kg-1, s.c.) manifested both the alpha- and beta-adrenergic actions depending on its dose. Noradrenaline at 1-2 mg kg-1, lowered choline levels and the effect of noradrenaline (1 mg kg-1) was inhibited by propranolol, but not by phentolamine. On the other hand, noradrenaline (4 mg kg-1) elevated choline levels and the effect was blocked by phentolamine, but not by propranolol. 5. Tyramine (5-80 mg kg-1, s.c.) elicited the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve terminals and induced essentially the same effects on the choline levels as noradrenaline. Tyramine (10 mg kg-1) lowered choline levels and the effect was inhibited by propranolol, but not by phentolamine. However, tyramine (80 mg kg-1) elevated choline levels and the effect was inhibited by phentolamine, but not by propranolol. 6. These results suggest that choline levels in the salivary glands may be under separate alpha- and beta-adrenergic control and suggest a possibility that the neurotransmitter noradrenaline released for sympathetic nerve terminals can manage the dual control of choline levels in some autonomic organs in a characteristic dose-dependent manner.

An improved method for assaying phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine in mouse tissue

INTRODUCTION

To measure the levels of phosphocholine (PCh) and glycerophosphocholine (GPCh) in the tissues and organs of mice, we developed a simple and rapid method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (ECD) and an immobilized enzyme column.

METHODS

Under our modifications of the separation procedure of Klein et al. [Neurochem. Int. 2 (1993) 293], PCh and GPCh in the hydrophilic phase of the homogenate samples were selectively hydrolyzed into free choline by alkaline phosphatase and a 0.4-N perchloric acid solution, respectively, and the resulting hydrolyzed mixtures were directly injected into the HPLC system for analysis.

RESULTS

The present method permits PCh or GPCh assay within 5 min in one chromatographic run. Recoveries from tissue samples were 97% for PCh and 101% for GPCh. The percentages of the crossover reaction to the authentic PCh and GPCh were 0.4% and 3.8%, respectively. The within-run coefficients of variation for choline derived from PCh and GPCh in the tissue samples were 1.2% and 1.4%, respectively.

DISCUSSION

The method is effective and has been applied to the measurement of PCh and GPCh levels in several tissues of mice.

In vivo changes in free choline level induced by autonomic agonists in mouse organs, including three major salivary glands

Whether free choline levels are changeable in vivo in response to different types of autonomic agonists was examined in several mouse organs. Upon one subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol, phenylephrine and pilocarpine, choline levels in whole organ decreased, increased and decreased, respectively, in various organs within 30 min and returned to initial levels in a day. In the three major salivary glands, a delayed choline elevation also appeared on day 2 after one isoproterenol injection and subsided by day 6. Only in the three salivary glands more choline was accumulated after 10 once-a-day injections of isoproterenol than after one isoproterenol injection. Neither phenylephrine nor pilocarpine induced comparable choline accumulation in any organs examined. Isoproterenol injection repeated at a 2-day interval augmented the subsequent, delayed choline elevation. Examination with dobutamine and the adenylyl cyclase activator 6-(3-dimethylaminopropionyl)forskolin suggested that isoproterenol-induced immediate choline lowering was down-stream of cAMP synthesis and linked to cAMP more tightly than the choline accumulation, though both choline changes occurred via beta1-adrenergic receptors. Choline levels in the salivary glands also changed depending on the form of diet given and particularly in the parotid gland in parallel with gland weights. These results provide the first evidence for the autonomic control of intracellular choline levels; intracellular choline levels might be an integral part of the autonomic signalling pathway.

Ascorbate deficiency impairs the muscarinic-cholinergic and ss-adrenergic receptor signaling systems in the guinea pig submandibular salivary gland

Ascorbic acid is preferentially concentrated in the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands. Its level in the acini of salivary glands is relatively high. We therefore hypothesized that ascorbate may have a role in salivary gland function. Ascorbate-deficient guinea pigs had lower stimulated whole salivary flow rates than well-fed, age-matched controls (P: < 0.005). Total salivary protein concentration was also markedly (P: < 0.005) reduced in the deficient guinea pigs. SDS-PAGE and densitometric quantification of protein bands confirmed significant reduction in specific salivary proteins (e.g., amylase, proline-rich proteins) in the saliva samples of malnourished guinea pigs. Some protein bands not seen in control saliva were detected in the saliva of malnourished guinea pigs. Ascorbate deficiency also produced a significant (P: < 0.005) reduction in the ss-adrenergic receptor density (subtype 1; 95 +/- 19 fmol/mg protein compared with 179 +/- 27 fmol/mg protein for the controls). No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to the ss-adrenergic receptor subtype 2. Additionally, ascorbate-deficient guinea pigs had significantly lower muscarinic-cholinergic receptor densities (50 +/- 5 vs. 74 +/- 8 fmol/mg protein for controls). Our data support the conclusion that diminished membrane receptors might impair the capacity of the transmembrane signaling system, resulting in salivary gland hypofunction in ascorbate-deficient guinea pigs. Without implying extrapolation of our findings in experimental animals to humans, it is perhaps relevant that many conditions often associated with salivary gland hypofunction in humans (e.g., smoking or drug ingestion) deplete cellular ascorbate.

Sex-dependent differences in the concentrations of the principal neurotransmitters, noradrenaline and acetylcholine, in the three major salivary glands of mice

The concentrations of principal neurotransmitters in the submandibular, parotid and sublingual glands were compared between two pairs of age-matched male and female ddY mice, one pair consisting of 4-week-old and the other 8-week-old animals. Sex-dependent differences in both noradrenaline and acetylcholine concentrations were observed only in the submandibular gland, although each neurotransmitter showed distinct features. The acetylcholine concentration in the submandibular gland was higher in the female at both ages, whereas the noradrenaline concentration was higher in the female at the age of 4 weeks but became higher in the male by the age of 8 weeks. On the other hand, the total amounts of noradrenaline and acetylcholine per submandibular gland were already greater in the male at 4 weeks, and the male parotid and sublingual glands also had a greater noradrenaline content by 4 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively. Each type of gland had similar growth rates over the 4-week period, and the male submandibular and parotid glands were heavier than the female. In addition, each type of gland had its characteristic ratio of noradrenaline to acetylcholine concentration, which did not differ between the sexes and remained in similar basic patterns during the period examined, except for the submandibular gland of 8-week-old male mice, which developed greater amounts of the sympathetic neurotransmitter noradrenaline.

Changes in the noradrenaline and acetylcholine content of three major salivary glands and in the salivation and protein component patterns of whole saliva in chronically isoprenaline-administered mice

One group of mice was injected subcutaneously with 20 mg/kg body wt isoprenaline each day for 10 days; another group (control) was injected with saline. Half the animals of each group were kept untreated for a further 10 days for restoration. Chronic administration of isoprenaline caused enlargement of parotid (4-fold) and submandibular glands (1.7-fold) but had no effect on sublingual glands. Concomitantly, noradrenaline and acetylcholine contents were, in parallel, increased in parotid, decreased in sublingual, and unchanged in submandibular glands. Under these conditions, pilocarpine- or isoprenaline-induced salivation was not affected but phenylephrine-induced salivation was augmented; the protein component patterns of saliva characteristic of the three sialogogues were also changed. In addition, secretory proteins whose synthesis was induced by isoprenaline were found to be secreted by stimulation with different types of sialogogues. Most changes were reversible. These results indicate that continued beta-adrenoceptor stimulation not only causes broadly altered forms of saliva, probably by involving, in part, alpha-adrenoceptor hypersensitivity, but also changes the activities of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to salivary glands in parallel, though the extent differs among the three glands.

Effects of short-term (2 weeks) streptozotocin-induced diabetes on acetylcholine and noradrenaline in the salivary glands and secretory responses to cholinergic and adrenergic sialogogues in mice

Acetylcholine and noradrenaline concentrations in the submandibular, parotid and sublingual glands, and pilocarpine-, isoproterenol- and phenylephrine-induced salivation, were estimated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Diabetic mice showed significant increases in acetylcholine and noradrenaline (expressed as nmol/gland) in sublingual and submandibular glands, respectively. The total volume of crude whole saliva in diabetic mice in response to pilocarpine and isoproterenol but not to phenylephrine was significantly reduced. These results suggest that alterations in the neurotransmitter levels and secretory function in the salivary glands occur rapidly after the induction of STZ diabetes, and that the secretory function appears to be more susceptible to effects of diabetes in the early stages than the autonomic nervous system. Since the alterations in neurotransmitter concentrations in diabetic salivary glands were slight and partial, it seems that they are unrelated to the markedly reduced salivation in response to pilocarpine and isoproterenol observed in these short-term diabetic mice.

A regulatory role in mammalian salivary glands for 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors coupled to increased cyclic AMP production

Although a functional role for serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) has been defined in the salivary glands of some lower species, relatively few data supporting a role for 5-HT in the regulation of mammalian salivary glands have been presented. Our initial results from polymerase chain reaction studies in cells of mammalian submandibular gland origin using consensus sequence primers from G protein-coupled receptors suggested the presence of mRNA for a 5-HT receptor in these cells. Based on this observation, the question of a role for 5-HT in mammalian submandibular gland function was re-addressed, using isolated, perfused rat submandibular glands and dispersed-cell aggregates from this gland. In perfused glands, 5-HT decreased the rate of saliva flow initiated by acetylcholine by about 50% and increased the amount of protein in the saliva two-fold. In dispersed-cell aggregates, 5-HT elicited a concentration-dependent increase in the accumulation of adenosine 3',5' monophosphate (cyclic AMP; EC50 = 660 +/- 110 nM). In addition, functional studies, as well as radioligand binding experiments, indicated that the effects of 5-HT are independent of beta-adrenoceptors. Accumulation of cAMP in gland cells was consistent with a direct action of 5-HT on adenylyl cyclase. Similar cyclic AMP responses to 5-HT were observed in cells isolated from mouse and opossum submandibular glands and rat sublingual and parotid glands. Our findings suggest the presence of a 5-HT receptor in mammalian salivary glands coupled to the stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and, at least in rat submandibular gland, involved in modifying the volume and protein content of saliva.