Nerve Interactions in Salivary Glands

Abstract

In the salivary reflex, not only secretory cells are activated, but also myo-epithelial cells are contracted to support these cells and promote the flow of saliva, and blood vessels dilate to meet the increased demands of the tissues. The various effector cells often receive nerves from both parts of the autonomic system, and interactions may occur when the nerves act on the same type of effector, or on different types of effectors.

While in an experiment electrical stimulation of the sympathetic trunk may decrease a parasympathetic salivary flow by causing marked vasoconstriction, this does not occur in the salivary reflex, since the vasoconstrictors do not take part. On the contrary, the normal sympathetic vasoconstrictor tone of the resting gland is easily overcome by activity in parasympathetic vasodilator nerves when secretion starts. Pronounced synergism can be demonstrated between sympathetic and parasympathetic secretory nerves. In dogs, for instance, in which sympathetic secretion is β-adrenoceptor-mediated, this is marked in the case of fluid secretion. In rats and rabbits, in which β-receptors elicit secretion of amylase, the potentiating interaction among the nerves is striking when amylase secretion is considered. Even the random release of acetylcholine from the post-ganglionic parasympathetic axons, by itself insufficient to evoke secretion, can increase the sympathetic effects. Motor nerves interact with secretory nerves by causing myo-epithelial contraction, mechanically promoting secretion. Interactions between the nerves in their long-term regulatory function on the sensitivity of the acinar secretory and myo-epithelial cells can also be demonstrated.