Effect of the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide, peptide histidine methionine and substance P on human major salivary gland secretion. (7th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Del Fiacco, M; Quartu, M; Ekström, J; Melis, T; Boi, M; Isola, M; Loy, F; Serra, MP
• Is Part Of: Oral diseases. Volume 21:Number 2(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 216
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2014-05-07
• Subjects: Mouth -- Diseases -- Research -- Periodicals; 617.522
• DOI: 10.1111/odi.12249
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-523X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="odi12249-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="odi12249-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>The parasympathetic transmitters vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) are secretagogues in salivary glands of animals. Currently, we hypothesise that in human salivary glands, these neuropeptides and the VIP‐related peptide histidine methionine (PHM) also exert secretory actions, reflected morphologically by exocytosis of acinar protein/glycoprotein‐storing granules.</p> </sec> <sec id="odi12249-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Materials and Methods</title> <p>Submandibular and parotid gland tissues, exposed <italic>in vitro</italic> to VIP and PHM, and SP, respectively, were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. For comparison, the response to <italic>in vitro</italic> stimulation of isoproterenol, phenylephrine and carbachol was examined. Moreover, the peptidergic innervation of the glands was examined by immunohistochemistry.</p> </sec> <sec id="odi12249-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Vasoactive intestinal peptide‐ and PHM‐immunoreactive nerves were in close proximity to acini and ducts in the two glands, while these elements lacked a SP‐positive innervation. While no morphological changes occurred in response to SP (parotid glands), VIP and PHM administration (submandibular glands) caused conspicuous acinar degranulation accompanied by luminal space broadening. In the two glands, both <italic>α</italic><sub>1</sub>‐ and <italic>β</italic>‐adrenergic receptor stimulation and muscarinic receptor stimulation caused similar changes as to VIP/PHM, although to varying extent.</p> </sec> <sec id="odi12249-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Vasoactive intestinal peptide and PHM, but not SP, are likely transmitters in the parasympathetic control of salivary (protein) secretion in humans.</p> </sec> </abstract>