Effect of furosemide on the rat submandibular gland kallikrein secretion

The effects of furosemide and Captopril were studied in normals and nephrectomized rats. Different doses of furosemide (5 to 50 mg/kg) increased the saliva kallikrein activity of submaxillary gland perfused with pilocarpine. Rats injected with captopril (10 mg) increased the blood flow of the gland, but did not modify the blood pressure. After furosemide (50 mg/kg) and captopril (10 mg), a decrease in arterial blood pressure was observed. The results suggest a release of glandular kallikrein which is secreted from the gland directly into the vascular compartment. On the other hand, rats sialodectomized showed no alterations in blood pressure in response to both drugs. These data suggest that submaxillary gland kallikrein play a role in regulating blood flow of the gland and blood pressure, at least in our experimental conditions.