Morphological evidence that pentagastrin regulates secretion in the human parotid gland

Salivary secretion is principally regulated by autonomic nerves. However, recent evidence from in vivo animal experiments suggests that gastrointestinal peptide hormones can also influence saliva production. The aim of the present study was to define the secretagogue activity of the gastrin-analogue pentagastrin in human salivary glands. For this purpose, parotid tissues were exposed to pentagastrin in vitro. Morphological techniques were used to evaluate modifications to serous acinar cells associated with secretion. Using a variant of the osmium maceration method, high resolution scanning electron microscopy allowed assessment of the morphology of the cytoplasmic aspect of the plasmalemma to demonstrate secretory activity. To quantify responses to pentagastrin, we recorded morphometric data on microvilli, microbuds, and protrusions. Dose-dependent morphological changes were observed, whereas protein concentration increased in the incubate. The use of selective receptor antagonists showed pentagastrin to act principally via cholecystokinin-A receptors. The morphological responses observed following exposure to pentagastrin differed from those elicited following exposure to the pan-muscarinic agonist carbachol. This study provides the first demonstration of a direct secretory action of gastrointestinal peptides on salivary glands in humans.

Morphology of the Harderian gland of the Gecko, Tarentola mauritanica

The Harderian gland of the gecko, Tarentola mauritanica, was studied at the histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural levels. It is a nonlobate compound acinar gland surrounded by a thin capsule of connective tissue. Numerous connective tissue-type mast cells, ultrastructurally similar to those described in other higher vertebrates, were identified in the interstitial tissue between the acini. Pyramidal or columnar-shaped secretory glandular cells were observed in the acini. In the glandular cells, two types of structures could be distinguished on the basis of their high or low electron density. Lipid droplets were found in the cytoplasm of the Harderian gland of both sexes. Histochemical tests showed that the Harderian gland of the gecko is a seromucous gland. The secretion is essentially merocrine, although an apocrine type of secretion is sometimes observed.

3D-structure of cells of human salivary glands as seen by SEM

To demonstrate by SEM the topography and cytoarchitecture of the different parenchymal components of human salivary glands, we have employed a number of techniques that allow either the exposure of internal and lateral cell surfaces or, following the removal of connective tissue, the visualization of endpieces, ducts, and myoepithelial cells. Serous glands consist of indented acini attached to the ducts in a grape-like fashion, whereas mucous and mixed glands are made up of smooth tubuli. Myoepithelial cells (mecs), which are abundant on the surfaces of acini, tubuli, and intercalated ducts, are sparse on striated ducts. They are star-shaped on acini, striated ducts, and most of the tubuli. Spindle-shaped mecs are seen, instead, on intercalated ducts and, occasionally, on mucous and mixed tubuli as well. Cells of striated ducts split into a number of large basal portions whose surface is covered by long laminated processes responsible for the striations seen with TEM. Excretory ducts are lined by small cup-shaped basal cells and by tall cylindrical cells, which are completely covered by short processes oriented at random. When observed from below, after removal of the basal lamina, the basal surfaces of cells of excretory ducts exhibit polygonal areas delimited by short reliefs. Those of striated ducts show, instead, long laminar processes arranged radially. Results presented here are discussed and put in relationship to the mechanism of saliva production.

Major ocular glands (harderian gland and lacrimal gland) of the musk shrew (Suncus murinus) with a review on the comparative anatomy and histology of the mammalian lacrimal glands

The Harderian gland of the musk shrew Suncus murinus is elongated anteroposteriorly from in front of the eye to behind the ear. The gland is divided into two portions: an anterior portion (A portion) and a posterior portion (P portion). The single secretory duct of the gland emerges from the anterior end of the P portion, receives several secretory ducts of the A portion during the course along it, runs around the ventral aspect of the eyeball, and finally opens into the anterior corner of conjunctival sacs. The two portions of the gland show a fundamentally similar histological structure, having a poorly developed intraglandular duct system and wide tubular alveoli. The quantity of lipid vacuoles and stromal connective tissue in the A portion is greater than in the P portion. The lipid vacuoles in both portions are surrounded by unit membranes, but their contents appear different. The lacrimal gland of the musk shrew is located along the ventral side of the P portion of the Harderian gland. The lacrimal duct emerges from its anterior end, runs around the ventral and anterior aspects of the ear, crosses the A portion of the Harderian gland, and finally opens at the posterior corner of conjunctival sacs. The lobules of the lacrimal gland comprise a branched duct system and terminal acini with two types of secretory cells: 1) acidic cells positive both for the periodic acid-Schiff reaction (PAS) and for Alcian blue (AB) and 2) neutral cells positive for PAS and negative for AB. Both cell types tend to make separate acini, but when present in the same acinus, the acidic cells occupy relatively peripheral positions in the acinus. Both cell types lack intercellular canaliculi. On the basis of the present study as well as previous descriptions in the literature, the author suggests that the mammalian lacrimal glands can be divided into two sets: 1) a Glandula lacrimalis superior with multiple secretory ducts associated with the upper eyelid and 2) a Glandula lacrimalis inferior with a single secretory duct opening into the lateral corner of the conjunctival sacs. These glands have a fundamentally similar histological structure; but in the rabbit, which possesses both sets of lacrimal glands, they are different. On the other hand, the secretory cells of lacrimal glands generally have no intercellular secretory canaliculi, which are characteristically present between the serous secretory cells of the salivary glands.