Increase of the peroxidase activity of mouse submaxillary gland by reserpine.

The peroxidase activity of mouse submaxillary gland was found to be elevated by about 128% at 22 hr. after the administration of reserpine (0.5 mg/kg). This effect of reserpine was observed in rat also. Neither pretreatment with 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OH dopamine) nor surgical sympathetic denervation could abolish the increase of the peroxidase activity elicited by reserpine. Also, treatment with propranolol, dibenamine or atropine sulfate failed to reverse the effect of reserpine. These results suggest that neither catecholamine nor acetyl choline is involved in this reserpine action.