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Submandibular glands contribute to increases in plasma BDNF levels
K Tsukinoki1, J Saruta, N Muto
1Department of Maxillofacial Diagnostic Science, Division of Pathology, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan. ktsukino@kdcnet.ac.jp
Journal of Dental Research
|February 23, 2007
Summary
Acute immobilization stress increases plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Submandibular glands appear to be the primary source of this stress-induced plasma BDNF increase in rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is crucial for neural cell survival and differentiation.
- Plasma BDNF levels have been detected, but its origin remains unclear.
- BDNF mRNA expression is found in submandibular glands under stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the submandibular glands' role in plasma BDNF levels during acute immobilization stress.
- To determine if submandibular glands are the source of stress-induced plasma BDNF.
Main Methods:
- Male rats were subjected to acute immobilization stress.
- Plasma BDNF levels were measured.
- Submandibular glands were removed (sialoadenectomy) in some rats.
- BDNF mRNA expression in various organs was analyzed using real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- Plasma BDNF levels significantly increased after 60 minutes of immobilization stress.
- This stress-induced increase in plasma BDNF was significantly reduced in rats without submandibular glands.
- No significant changes in BDNF mRNA were observed in the hippocampus, heart, lung, liver, pancreas, or spleen.
Conclusions:
- The submandibular glands are likely the primary source of plasma BDNF during acute immobilization stress.
- This finding sheds light on the extraneural origins of circulating BDNF.
- Further research can explore the mechanisms linking stress, submandibular glands, and plasma BDNF.
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