Korean J Physiol Pharmacol.  2006 Apr;10(2):65-69.

Autonomic Neural Regulation of Sodium Transporters and Water Channels in Rat Submandibular Gland

• Ryu SY
• Jung H
• Kim KY
• Kim M
• Lee JU

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to explore the role of autonomic nerves in the regulation of sodium transporters and water channels in the salivary gland. Rats were denervated of their sympathetic or parasympathetic nerves to the submandibular gland. One week later, the expression of Na,K-ATPase, epithelial sodium channels (ENaC), and aquaporins (AQP) was examined in the denervated and contralateral glands. The sympathetic denervation slightly but significantly decreased the expression of alpha1 subunit of Na,K-ATPase, whereas the parasympathetic denervation increased it. The expression of alpha-subunit of ENaC was significantly increased in both the denervated and contralateral glands either by the sympathetic or parasympathetic denervation. The sympathetic denervation significantly increased the expression of AQP5 in both the denervated and contralateral glands, whereas the parasympathetic denervation decreased it. It is suggested that the autonomic nerves have a tonic effect on the regulation of sodium transporters and AQP water channels in the salivary gland.

Keyword

Sympathetic; Parasympathetic; Na,K-ATPase; Epithelial sodium channels; Aquaporin water channels; Submandibular gland

MeSH Terms

Animals
Aquaporins*
Autonomic Pathways
Epithelial Sodium Channels
Parasympathectomy
Rats*
Salivary Glands
Sodium*
Submandibular Gland*
Sympathectomy
Aquaporins
Epithelial Sodium Channels
Sodium