EFFECTS OF ADRENERGIC NEURONE-BLOCKING AGENTS ON THE SUBMAXILLARY GLAND OF THE CAT

The role of cyclic nucleotides and related compounds in nerve-mediated vasodilatation in the cat submandibular gland

1 Intra-arterial administration of a number of purine compounds to the cat submandibular salivary gland led to an increased blood flow. The threshold concentration of the most potent vasodilators, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) was about 2 mumol/l. Adenosine and guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) required about 25 mumol/l, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) 40 mumol/l, guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP) 125 mumol/l and dibutyryl guanosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (db cyclic GMP) 400 mumol/l. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were ineffective. 2 The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors, theophylline, papaverine, quinine and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), all acted as vasodilators. 3 When intra-arterial infusion of theophylline or IBMX was combined with sympathetic nerve stimulation, the vasodilatation observed after the stimulus ceased was significantly potentiated. 4 Theophylline and IBMX also potentiated the vasodilatation accompanying parasympathetic nerve stimulation and this response persisted after atropine. 5 These results are discussed in relation to the possible mediators of sympathetic and parasympathetic vasodilatation in the gland.

Kinins, beta-adrenergic receptors and functional vasodilatation in the submaxillary gland of the cat

1. The close arterial infusion of bradykinin into the submaxillary gland of the cat produced a pronounced hyperaemia that could be blocked by simultaneous perfusion of the gland with blood containing carboxypeptidase B. Carboxypeptidase B, however, failed to reduce the vasodilatation of chorda tympani nerve stimulation suggesting that the kinins are not involved in the regulation of submaxillary gland blood flow.2. Isoproterenol injections produced pronounced salivary gland vasodilatation. Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs reduced or abolished the hyperaemia of isoproterenol and reduced that of chorda tympani nerve stimulation. The combination of beta-blocking drugs and atropine could abolish or reduce further this nerve induced hyperaemia.3. The above results suggest that stimulation of cholinergic and beta-adrenergic receptors could account for the chorda tympani induced hyperaemia. Conclusive proof of this possibility remains to be determined.