Increased polyamine formation in rat salivary glands by stimulation of their autonomic nerve supply

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a key enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, was measured in the three major salivary glands of rats and mice. Enzyme activity and glandular putrescine content increased after continuous stimulation of the parasympathetic or sympathetic salivary nerves for 3 h. The activity was markedly reduced in animals fasted for 24 h to decrease nervous-reflex activation of the glands. Thus ODC activity may be linked with synthesis of secretory macromolecules.