Submandibular salivary gland weight increase by administration of isoproterenol to rats

¹ Biological Research Laboratories, Harvard School of Dental Medicine; and Department of Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Administration of isoproterenol, like amputation of lower incisor teeth, resulted in a marked increase in both the fresh and dry weights of the submandibular salivary glands of rats. There was a linear relationship between the percent increase in gland weight and the dose of isoproterenol between 10 and 160 mg/kg/day. Ten days after cessation of isoproterenol administration, the weight of the enlarged glands had receded to control levels. Although prior unilateral extirpation of the superior cervical ganglion inhibited the response to incisor amputation of the submandibular gland on the operated side, both glands enlarged to the same extent following administration of isoproterenol. When isoproterenol administration was combined with amputation of the incisors, the effects on gland weight were additive.