alpha-Adrenergic regulation of secretion of mouse saliva rich in nerve growth factor.

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Abstract
Nerve growth factor was quantified by both bioassay and radial immunodiffusion in mouse saliva elicited by several secretagogues. The concentrations by bioassay of nerve growth factor in both epinephrine- and norepinephrine-induced saliva (3400 and 900 .mu.g/ml, respectively) are higher than reported in any other source. The concentrations of nerve growth factor in isoproterenol- and pilocarpine-induced saliva are relatively low (17 and 2 .mu.g/ml, respectively). The specific activity of the salivary nerve growth factor was 41, 36, 2 and 0.6 .mu.g/mg of protein in secretions elicited by epinephrine, norepinephrine, pilocarpine and isoproterenol, respectively. Salivation after administration of either epinephrine or norepinephrine was completely inhibited by the .alpha.-adrenergic blocker, phenoxybenzamine. The release of saliva rich in nerve growth factor is probably primarily regulated through .alpha.-adrenergic receptors.