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Effect of the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide, peptide histidine methionine and substance P on human major salivary gland secretion
Author(s) -
Del Fiacco M,
Quartu M,
Ekström J,
Melis T,
Boi M,
Isola M,
Loy F,
Serra MP
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
oral diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.953
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1601-0825
pISSN - 1354-523X
DOI - 10.1111/odi.12249
Subject(s) - vasoactive intestinal peptide , endocrinology , medicine , substance p , submandibular gland , salivary gland , stimulation , neuropeptide , secretin , exocrine gland , biology , carbachol , chemistry , secretion , receptor
Objective The parasympathetic transmitters vasoactive intestinal peptide ( VIP ) and substance P ( SP ) are secretagogues in salivary glands of animals. Currently, we hypothesise that in human salivary glands, these neuropeptides and the VIP ‐related peptide histidine methionine ( PHM ) also exert secretory actions, reflected morphologically by exocytosis of acinar protein/glycoprotein‐storing granules. Materials and Methods Submandibular and parotid gland tissues, exposed in vitro to VIP and PHM , and SP, respectively, were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. For comparison, the response to in vitro stimulation of isoproterenol, phenylephrine and carbachol was examined. Moreover, the peptidergic innervation of the glands was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results Vasoactive intestinal peptide‐ and PHM ‐immunoreactive nerves were in close proximity to acini and ducts in the two glands, while these elements lacked a SP‐positive innervation. While no morphological changes occurred in response to SP (parotid glands), VIP and PHM administration (submandibular glands) caused conspicuous acinar degranulation accompanied by luminal space broadening. In the two glands, both α 1 ‐ and β ‐adrenergic receptor stimulation and muscarinic receptor stimulation caused similar changes as to VIP / PHM , although to varying extent. Conclusions Vasoactive intestinal peptide and PHM , but not SP, are likely transmitters in the parasympathetic control of salivary (protein) secretion in humans.