The influence of guanoxane on the submaxillary glands of rats. Another model of neurogenic sialoses.

In extracts of submaxillary glands of rats, treated with the guanethidine derivative, guanoxane (Envacar), alpha-amylase activity and protein concentration were measured. Both parameters were also determined for the alpha-isoamylase patterns obtained following electrophoretic separation of gland extracts in polyacrylamide gels. During the first week of drug application, amylase was found to be congested in the glands. Compared with untreated animals, total amylase concentration and amylase activity per unit protein (specific enzyme activity) were significantly increased in extracts and separated isoenzymes, whereas protein concentration remained unaltered. The described changes reverted to normal after continued drug application for 3 weeks. The possibility is suggested that changes in alpha-isoamylase patterns might eventually be employed for clinical characterization of different types of neurogenic sialosis.