Xylitol stimulates saliva secretion via muscarinic receptor signaling pathway
10.11620/IJOB.2019.44.2.62
- Author:
Eunjoo PARK
1
;
Hee Sam NA
;
Sunghee JEONG
;
Jin CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Oral Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea. jchung@pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Calcium signaling;
Aquaporin 5;
Saliva;
Human salivary gland cells;
Dry mouth
- MeSH:
Aquaporin 5;
Bacteria;
Calcium;
Calcium Signaling;
Candy;
Epithelial Cells;
Humans;
Immunoblotting;
Mouth;
Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Receptors, Muscarinic;
Saliva;
Salivary Glands;
Xylitol
- From:International Journal of Oral Biology
2019;44(2):62-70
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Xylitol is well-known to have an anti-caries effect by inhibiting the replication of cariogenic bacteria. In addition, xylitol enhances saliva secretion. However, the precise molecular mechanism of xylitol on saliva secretion is yet to be elucidated. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the stimulatory effect of xylitol on saliva secretion and to further evaluate the involvement of xylitol in muscarinic type 3 receptor (M3R) signaling. For determining these effects, we measured the saliva flow rate following xylitol treatment in healthy individuals and patients with dry mouth. We further tested the effects of xylitol on M3R signaling in human salivary gland (HSG) cells using real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunostaining. Xylitol candy significantly increased the salivary flow rate and intracellular calcium release in HSG cells via the M3R signaling pathway. In addition, the expressions of M3R and aquaporin 5 were induced by xylitol treatment. Lastly, we investigated the distribution of M3R and aquaporin 5 in HSG cells. Xylitol was found to activate M3R, thereby inducing increases in Ca²⁺ concentration. Stimulation of the muscarinic receptor induced by xylitol activated the internalization of M3R and subsequent trafficking of aquaporin 5. Taken together, these findings suggest a molecular mechanism for secretory effects of xylitol on salivary epithelial cells.
