Effects of calcitonin on elemental distribution and ultrastructure of rat submandibular gland acinar cells

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Abstract
SAGULIN, G.‐B., WROBLEWSKI, J., ARVER, S., & ROOMANS, G.M. 1985. Effects of calcitonin on elemental distribution and ultrastructure of rat submandibular gland acinar cells. Acta Physiol Scand 125, 649–654. Received 22 February 1985, accepted 5 June 1985. ISSN 0001–6772. Departments of Prosthetics, Histology, and Physiology, Karolinska Institute, and Department of Ultrastructure Research, Wenner‐Gren Institute, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.The effect of calcitonin on rat submandibular gland acinar cells was investigated by X‐ray microanalysis and electron microscopy. Calcitonin caused a transient increase of the cellular calcium and magnesium concentration, but did not affect the intracellular concentration of other electrolytes. The relative volume of intracellular mucus increased from 45% in control glands to 72% at 6 h after administration of calcitonin. Calcitonin caused an inhibition of the cellular response of the acinar cells to β‐adrenergic and cholinergic agonists. The changes in elemental composition and ultrastructure of the gland cells are probably due to inhibition of mucus release from the cells.