Sialotonin: vasopressor substance in saliva and submandibular gland of the cat.

Abstract
The large molecular pressor agent, sialotonin, present in cat saliva, was separated from kallikrein and characterized further. Sialotonin is present in saliva produced by parasympathetic (chorda) but not in that produced by sympathetic nerve stimulation. After degenerative preganglionic parasympathetic nerve section, both sialotonin and kallikrein disappear completely, or nearly so. Sympathetic nerve section, however, fails to affect the concentration of these substances in chorda saliva. The sialotonin activity in saliva is unaffected by ligation of Wharton''s duct for 3-4 days, whereas the kallikrein concentration is greatly reduced. Although normally present in chorda saliva, sialotonin cannot be detected in aqueous extracts of the submandibular gland. It is present in extracts of glands which have previously been subjected to prolonged sympathetic nerve stimulation or to ligation of the duct for 3-4 days. The i.v. or close-arterial injection of sialotonin causes marked but brief reductions of blood flow in the submaxillary gland and intestine.