ROLE OF CYCLIC-GMP IN SUB-MANDIBULAR GLAND SECRETION

Cholinergic stimualtion of rat submandibular gland slices resulted in a rapid increased in the level of cyclic GMP. This increase was dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Adrenergic agonists did not produce a significant elevation of cyclic GMP. The addition of Ca2+ to slices preincubated with the divalent ionophore A23187 caysed a rapid rise in cyclic GMP levels which were unaffected by chrolinergic stimulation. While these results could support a funcntion for cyclic GMP in cholinergic-mediated K+-release these glands, they do not support a role for this nucleotide in α-adrenergic agonist-induced k+-release or protease secretion. © 1979.