The Effect of Isoproterenol-induced Salivary-Gland Hypertrophy and Diet on the Chemistry of Rat Saliva

Abstract

Saliva chemistry composition was investigated under changes induced by dietary composition and salivary gland hypertrophy by isoproterenol treatment. Diets low in Ca and P but high in protein caused an increase in total protein and Ca/P ratio of the saliva of the experimental animals as compared to controls fed a normal commercially available laboratory diet. Treatment with isoproterenol elevated the Na+ ion concentration from the control values of 42.2 [plus or minus] 9.4 meq/1 to 66.0 [plus or minus] 2.3 meq/2. It was also observed that the alkaline phosphatase content of the salivary secretions of the rat was correlated with age. It was demonstrable up to about 57 days but completely disappeared after the 66th day.