β-Adrenoceptor alterations coupled with secretory response and experimental periodontitis in rat submandibular glands

Increased leukotriene concentration× in submandibular glands from rats with experimental periodontitis

“…In submandibular gland, arachidonic acid acts as a regulator of central synthetic/secretive processes in the mucous cells [16]. In an earlier work [10], we established that the basal release of mucin was increased in submandibular glands from rats with experimental periodontitis. The increment was associated with an increase in sympathetic activity.…”

“…We have previously described that basal mucin release is increased in submandibular glands from rats with experimental periodontitis [10]. Here, we expanded our study by investigating the relation of leukotriene production with mucin release, in submandibular glands from rats with experimental periodontitis and controls.…”

“…A black thread was placed around the cervix of the two lower first molars and knotted mesially [10]. Experiments were carried out 22 days after the rats were subjected to ligature-induced periodontitis.…”

“…release) mucin-like glycoprotein content in the glands was 9.0 ± 0.4 and 9.11 ± 0.6 mg for control and ligated rats, respectively. Mucin released, which varied with each treatment, is expressed as percentage released from total mucin content in the gland (% of total) [10] or as microgram of mucin released for milligram of gland wet weight.…”

“…In an earlier study, we showed that in a rat model of periodontal disease, basal mucin release from submandibular gland was increased [10]. The aim of the present work was to further study the mechanism underlying mucin secretion during experimental periodontitis with special focus on the relationship between the inflammatory mediators, such as, nitric oxide, prostaglandins and leukotrienes with the increase in mucin release observed in submandibular glands from rats with experimental periodontitis.…”