Autonomic control of intercellular communication in salivary glands

Effects of autonomic agonists, antagonists and denervation on intercellular communication between cells in acini of rat submandibular glands were investigated to clarify the regulation and maintenance of intercellular communication by the autonomic nervous system. Addition of acetylcholine (ACh) and adrenaline rapidly and reversibly suppressed the dye-coupling between acinar cells. The suppressive effects of adrenaline were weaker than those of ACh. Antagonists inhibited the above effect of agonists. Electrical coupling between acinar cells decreased 2 weeks after parasympathectomy, but sympathectomy did not affect it. These results suggest that parasympathetic nerve activity is related to the regulation and maintenance of the intercellular communication of acinar cells in the rat submandibular gland.