Taste receptors and sialadenotrophic action of proteolytic enzymes in rats

¹ Biological Research Laboratories, Department of Clinical Dentistry, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts

Dietary administration of proteolytic enzymes such as chymotrypsin, trypsin, bacterial protease, or papain resulted in a marked increase in the weight of the submandibular salivary glands. After sympathectomy, but not parasympathectomy, the response of the glands to papain was partially reduced. After complete autonomic denervation the papain effect was absent completely. The enzymes retained their sialadenotrophic action when administered as intra-oral drops, but were not effective if administered by stomach tube. Although the response to papain was completely absent after section of the glossopharyngeal nerves, section of the lingual nerves did not affect the response. The sialadenotrophic effect of repeated amputation of lower incisor teeth was not altered by prior section of the glossopharyngeal or lingual nerves. The results suggest that the sialadenotrophic action of proteolytic enzymes depends on a neural reflex arc. The afferent arm consists of the taste receptors innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerves, while the efferent arm is composed of both branches of the autonomic nervous supply to the glands.

Key Words: submandibular salivary glands • lingual nerves • sympathectomy • hypertrophy • gustatory stimuli • glossopharyngeal nerves • incisor amputations • parasympathectomy

Submitted on November 5, 1964

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