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Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Retroductal Submandibular Gland Instillation and Localized Fractionated Irradiation in a Rat Model of Salivary Hypofunction
Published on: April 24, 2016
The influence of plasma catecholamines on methotrexate-enhanced rat salivary gland protein secretion
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana, Champaign 61801.
Abstract:
The acetylcholine-elicited secretory output of parotid protein and amylase, and of submandibular protein from rats receiving 15 mg methotrexate (MTX)/kg for 3 days were 3-6 times greater than that from control animals. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in MTX-treated animals were 4-14 times greater than control values. Adrenalectomy reduced the plasma-catecholamine levels, and the acetylcholine-stimulated salivary protein and amylase output. Thus MTX-enhanced salivary protein secretion evoked by acetylcholine stimulation may be mediated, at least in part, by elevated levels of circulating catecholamines.
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