[Effects of adrenaline, noradrenaline and pilocarpine on the oxygen uptake in rat submandibular gland (author's transl)].

This investigation was undertaken to clarify the oxygen uptake caused by adrenaline, noradrenaline and pilocarpine in rat submandibular gland. 1. Adrenaline (55 microM), noradrenaline (55 microM) and pilocarpine (10 microM) significantly stimulated the oxygen uptake. 2. When Na+ in Ringer solution was substituted by Li+ or choline, the stimulation by adrenaline, noradrenaline and pilocarpine was blocked. However, when Na+ (50%) was contained in the Li+ -Ringer solution, the response by these agents were observed. 3. When K+ in the Ringer solution was removed, the stimulation by adrenaline and noradrenaline was observed, but that by pilocarpine was not. 4. Adrenaline-, noradrenaline- and pilocarpine-induced oxygen uptake was not observed when Ca2+-deficient tissue was incubated in Ca2+-free Ringer solution. When the normal tissue was incubated in Ca2+-free Ringer solution, the stimulation by adrenaline and noradrenaline was observed, but that by pilocarpine was diminished. 5. The oxygen uptake of Ca2+-deficient tissue due to adrenaline and noradrenaline was recovered by the addition of 3 or 5 mM Ca2+ to the Ca2+-free Ringer solution, while the response of pilocarpine was recovered by the addition of 5 mM Ca2+. 6. The stimulation by adrenaline, noradrenaline and pilocarpine was considerably blocked by the addition of 2.5 or 5 mM La3+ to the Ringer solution. 7. The stimulation by adrenaline and noradrenaline was significantly blocked by the addition of 5 mM procaine. On the other hand, the stimulation by pilocarpine was blocked by 0.5 or 5 mM procaine. These results suggest that the increase in the oxygen uptake seen with adrenaline, noradrenaline and pilocarpine is dependent on the presence of Na+ and Ca2+.