Action of some ganglion-stimulating substances on the secretion of saliva from the submandibular gland.

An attempt has been made to determine whether the ganglionic actions of pilocarpine and of 4-(m-chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyltrimethylammonium chloride (McN-A-343) contribute to their effect on salivary secretion. Salivary flow was measured from the submandibular glands of spinal cats. Destruction of the superior cervical ganglion and adrenalectomy failed to reduce the stimulant effect of pilocarpine and McN-A-343. Substances known to interfere with the ganglionic actions of pilocarpine (cocaine, methadone and choline 2:6-xylyl ether bromide) likewise failed to modify the response. It is concluded that stimulation of autonomic ganglia and of the adrenal medulla does not contribute to the salivary secretion observed after intravenous injections of pilocarpine and of McN-A-343. Dimethylphenylpiperazinium, a nicotine-like ganglion-stimulating substance, causes salivary flow by stimulating the adrenal medulla as well as parasympathetic ganglion cells; stimulation of the superior cervical ganglion by this substance does not contribute to the salivary response.