Degeneration secretion of saliva in the rat following sympathectomy

Abstract

SUMMARY1. After previous extirpation of the superior cervical ganglion saliva was found to flow from the cannulated submaxillary duct of rats under chloralose anaesthesia. The secretion started 13-14'5 hr after sympathectomy, increased gradually in rate and then slowed down and ceased, lasting for about 12 hr.2. Injection of ax-or /-adrenoreceptor blocking drugs reduced the flow and a combination of both types of drugs abolished it. It is concluded that the secretion was caused by noradrenaline released from the degenerating nerves, and that the phenomenon is an example of the degeneration activity described in other preparations as an effect of section of postganglionic autonomic nerves.3. A similar, but less pronounced, secretion was found in the parotid gland of the rat.

Effects of Phenylephrine on Transplanted Submandibular Gland

“…Phenylephrine treatment could improve secretion and ameliorate the atrophy of the transplanted glands in the early phase after transplantation. It is well-known that denervation induces "supersensitivity secretion" and "degeneration secretion" in salivary glands, due to the release of neurotransmitters from the degenerating nerves during the early stages after denervation (Delfs and Emmelin, 1974; for review, see Proctor, 1999). Consistent with these early observations, our clinical studies also found that salivary flow was increased soon post-operatively and decreased on post-operative day 5 in transplanted glands (Yu et al, 2004).…”

Degeneration Secretion of Amylase From the Parotid Gland of the Rat

“…Degeneration secretion of fluid from the parotid gland of the rat following section of the parasympathetic nerves has been demonstrated . After sympathectomy, on the other hand, the degeneration flow is remarkably small from this particular gland (Delfs & Emmelin, 1974); in order to provide the fluid required for the transport along the duct system of amylase that might be secreted in such experiments the sympathectomy was in the present investigation combined with parasympathetic denervation. Some preliminary observations on parasympathetic degeneration secretion of amylase have been reported (Asking, Delfs, Emmelin & Gj6rstrup, 1979).…”

PAROTID DEGENERATION SECRETION OF AMYLASE IN VITRO IN THE RAT FOLLOWING SYMPATHECTOMY

“…5). The time scale is similar to that seen when removal of the superior cervical ganglion in the rat causes salivation from the submandibular gland (Delfs & Emmelin, 1974) and contraction of the periorbital smooth muscles (Lundberg, 1970). The phenomenon has the characteristics of a 'degeneration secretion' (see Emmelin, 1981), which can thus be demonstrated in an in vitro preparation and further analysed there.…”

“…This time was chosen since the maximal degeneration secretion of fluid from the rat submandibular gland occurs 17-19 h after sympathetic ganglionectomy (Delfs & Emmelin, 1974). In all the sixteen rats the sympathetically denervated parotid glands delivered more amylase into the bath than the control glands.…”

“…Extirpation of the superior cervical ganglion in rats gives rise to a marked degeneration secretion of saliva from the submandibular gland, but only a very slow parotid flow (Delfs & Emmelin, 1974). Secretion of amylase may be a more sensitive indicator of degeneration activity in the parotid gland than secretion of fluid, but to demonstrate in vivo an output of amylase a salivary flow transporting the amylase has then to be elicited in some way.…”