The occurrence of the submandibular duct reservoir was reported by Butcher (1972). Its form and functional volume (Schneyer, 1975) and the development of the submandibular complex (Kim, 1975) were studied. The shape of the cells in the epithelial lining of the reservoir had not been determined as yet. So via the techniques of histology and histochemical enzymatic activity, the epithelial lining and the function of the reservoir were investigated. The epithelial lining of the reservoir was not uniform in all regions. The proximal portion of the reservoir was lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium and the distal portion was lined by stratified columnar or cuboidal epithelium. Acid phosphatase activity in the epithelial lining of the reservoir was observed as well as in the acini, granular convoluted duct and striated duct of the submandibular gland proper.
Acid Phosphatase/metabolism ; Animal ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium/enzymology ; Rats/anatomy & histology* ; Submandibular Gland/anatomy & histology* ; Submandibular Gland/cytology

OBJECTIVESTo study the coexistence of androgen receptor(AR) and GnRH receptor(GnRHR), and further identify that submaxillary is a target organ of androgen and GnRH in SD Rat.

METHODSSequential deparaffinized sections of SD rat submaxillary were immunostained with SABC method. The first antibodies were rabbit anti-rat GnRH idiotypic antibodies and mouse anti-rat androgen receptor antibodies.

RESULTSAR immunoreactive cells were found in glandular epithelial cells of serous acinus and epithelial cells in all gland ducts. While the distribution of GnRHR coincides with that of AR. The immunoreactive substances were distributed in cytoplasm of all positive cells with negative nuclei.

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that AR existed in submaxillary and was widely distributed in glandular epithelial cells with distributive pattern similar to those of GnRHR. It suggests that submaxillary is a target organ of androgen, responsible for modulating biological function of submaxillary.

Animals ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism ; Receptors, LHRH ; metabolism ; Submandibular Gland ; metabolism

PURPOSE: Plasma neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) levels are associated with several neural disorders. We previously reported that neurotrophins were released from salivary glands following acute immobilization stress. While the salivary glands were the source of plasma neurotrophins in that situation, the association between the expression of neurotrophins and the salivary gland under chronic stress conditions is not well understood. In the present study, we investigated whether NT-3 levels in the salivary gland and plasma were influenced by chronic stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expressions of NT-3 mRNA and protein were characterized, using real-time polymerase chain reactions, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry, in the submandibular glands of male rats exposed to chronic stress (12 h daily for 22 days). RESULTS: Plasma NT-3 levels were significantly increased by chronic stress (p<0.05), and remained elevated in bilaterally sialoadenectomized rats under the same condition. Since chronic stress increases plasma NT-3 levels in the sialoadenectomized rat model, plasma NT-3 levels were not exclusively dependent on salivary glands. CONCLUSION: While the salivary gland was identified in our previous study as the source of plasma neurotrophins during acute stress, the exposure to long-term stress likely affects a variety of organs capable of releasing NT-3 into the bloodstream. In addition, the elevation of plasma NT-3 levels may play important roles in homeostasis under stress conditions.
Animals ; Male ; Neurotrophin 3/*blood/genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Physiological/*physiology ; Submandibular Gland/*metabolism

No abstract available.
Animal ; Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism ; Feedback/physiology ; Ligases/metabolism ; Mice ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Salivary Ducts/physiology* ; Salivary Ducts/cytology ; Sodium/metabolism ; Sodium Channels/metabolism* ; Submandibular Gland/physiology* ; Submandibular Gland/cytology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinicopathologic features of chronic sclerosing submaxillaritis (CSS).

METHODSThe clinical and pathological characteristics of 9 CSS were analyzed.

RESULTSIn the 9 patients, there were 6 males and 3 females. The age of patients ranged from 51 - 77 years old. All of the tumors were located in the submandibular gland, presenting with painless and firm mass. Histologically, a well-defined mass lesion with extensive lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltration, preservation of lobular architecture, with acinar atrophy. The reactive hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles may be found in CSS. The phlebitis and obliterating phlebitis also formed. Immunohistochemistry showed evidence of diffuse infiltration of plasma cells. The mean number of IgG4-positive plasma cell per high-power field (HPF) was 186, mean value of the IgG4:IgG ratio was 0.71. Three of these 9 cases had manifestations of IgG4-associated systemic disease.

CONCLUSIONSCSS is considered as a part of IgG4-related sclerosing diseases, recognition of which is very essential for a successful treatment. When diagnosis is made, it is necessary to ascertain whether lesion occurs within salivary gland only or in combination with outside IgG4-related sclerosing disease. The establishment of follow-up is also necessary. Some patients show good response to steroid therapy.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasma Cells ; immunology ; Sclerosis ; Sialadenitis ; metabolism ; surgery ; Submandibular Gland ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVESTo study the distribution and potential function of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA and AR in rat submaxillary.

METHODSIn situ hybridization using digoxigenin-labled oligonucleotide probes, cell culture and radio-immunoassay were performed to localize the AR and detect the concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in culturing supernant.

RESULTSAR mRNA hybridization signals were detected in glandular epithelial cells of serous acinus and epithelial cells in all gland ducts. The signals distributed in cytoplasma of all positive cells with negative nuclei; Administration of testosterone can significantly increase the level of EGF (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe rat submaxillary not only is a target organ of androgen but also can product AR by itself. When androgen combined with androgen receptor and can submaxillary function can be infected and can result in the elevation of the level of EGF secreted.

Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; physiology ; Submandibular Gland ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of castration on the quantity of androgen receptor (AR) and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the submaxillary salivary glands of castrated rats.

METHODSSixty male Wistar rats, aged 30 to approximately 60 days, were randomly divided into three groups of 20 rats: castrated, sham-operated and normal control (unoperated). The submaxillary salivary glands of the castrated rats were removed one week after surgery, and so were those of the rats in the sham-operated and the normal control groups. The homogenized salivary gland was used for Western-blots.

RESULTSThe quantity of AR and EGF in the submaxillary salivary glands was decreased significantly in the castrated rats compared with that in the sham-operated and the normal control ( P < 0. 05). Moreover, EGF secreted by the submaxillary salivary glands was also decreased in the castrated rats (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCastration affected the production of androgen receptor in the salivary gland, and also, could further affect the secretion of EGF from the salivary gland.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Androgen ; biosynthesis ; Submandibular Gland ; metabolism

No abstract available.
Animal ; Anions/metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Chloride Channels/genetics* ; Chloride Channels/analysis* ; Gene Expression/physiology ; Lacrimal Apparatus/cytology ; Lacrimal Apparatus/chemistry* ; RNA, Messenger/analysis ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Submandibular Gland/cytology ; Submandibular Gland/chemistry*

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Child ; Cysts ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epithelium ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Keratin-5 ; metabolism ; Keratin-6 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Submandibular Gland ; surgery ; Submandibular Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of the tissue engineered submandibular gland constructed in vivo based on submandibular gland cells and silk fibroin-chitosan (SFCS).

METHODSSubmandibular gland cells were obtained and purified. The second generation cells labeled by 5'-BrdU were seeded on SFCS(5 mm × 5 mm × 5 mm). Submandibular gland cells seeded on SFCS was implanted beneath the skin on the back. At 3, 7, 14 d post-implantation, implant sites were examined local and systemic responses. After paraffin embedding, serial sections 6 mm thick were cut and stained with either hematoxylin and eosin or brdu tissue stain for immunohistochemical studies and examined the responses of tissue. Scanning electron microscope was used to observe the growth behavior submandibular gland cells on SFCS scaffolds.

RESULTSGeneral observation: at the 3, 7, 14 d after in vivo implantation, capsule formed in the surface of insert. Histological observation: in experimental group, submandibular gland cells proliferate on the SFCS scaffold fused to form unit 14 d after implantation. Brdu immunohistochemical observation: the results of labelled cells were positive by immunohistochemical method at each time point. Cytokeratin-8 (CK-8) immunohistochemical observation: the results of labelled cells were positive by immunohistochemical method at each time point. With time, the positive cells gradually increased. Scanning electron microscope: the shape of the SFCS scaffold was mesh. At earlier, submandibular gland cells presence in disorder at attach to the SFCS. At the 14 d submandibular gland cells proliferate on the SFCS scaffold and form functional unit.

CONCLUSIONSSuch constructed tissue engineered submandibular gland based on submandibular gland cells and SFCS is promising.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Female ; Fibroins ; chemistry ; Keratin-8 ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Submandibular Gland ; cytology ; metabolism ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry