Agonist-induced secretions and potassium release from rat submandibular gland slices.

Secretory activity induced by stimulation of alpha-adrenergic, beta-adrenergic, and muscarinic cholingeric receptors and by dibutyryl cAMP and 8-bromo cGMP has been investigated in rat submandibular tissue slices. Isoproterenol produced a sialic acid secretion from the acinar cells that was inhibited by propranolol, but not by phenoxybenzamine or atropine. Dibutyryl cAMP produced a sialic acid secretion from the acinar cells that was not inhibited by propranolol, phenoxybenzamine, or atropine. Both norepinephrine and acetylcholine produced significant secretion of sialic acid but at a reduced efficacy. Norepinephrine stimulated both peptide hydrolase secretion from the granular duct cells and a release of K+ from the acinar cells. Both actions were inhibited by phenoxybenzamine, but not by propranolol or atropine. Acetylcholine stimulated a minimal secretion of peptide hydrolase from the granular duct cells and a significant release of K+ from the acinar cells. The norepinephrine- and acetylcholine-stimulated release of K+ was increased after the addition of 1 mM ouabain. High concentrations of 8-bromo cGMP induced a K+ efflux that was not inhibited by phenoxybenzamine or atropine. Vacuolation of the acinar cells was correlated with K+ release.