Effects of nicotine on salivary amylase secretion from rabbit parotid gland

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Abstract
1 The effects of nicotine on amylase secretion induced by auriculo-temporal nerve stimulation were studied. 2 Nicotine caused a transient increase in secretion as well as flow rate of amylase. 3 No difference in nicotine action was found between acute sympathetic decentralization of the gland and acute denervation. 4 The increase in amylase secretion due to nicotine was not inhibited by phenoxybenzamine, bretylium and chronic denervation, but was prevented by hexamethonium, propranolol and adrenalectomy. 5 The increase in flow rate due to nicotine was not inhibited by propranolol, chronic denervation and adrenalectomy, but was prevented by hexamethonium, phenoxybenzamine and bretylium. 6 These results show that the action of nicotine in increasing amylase secretion is neither a direct action on the ganglion nor on the nerve terminal of the cervical sympathetic nerve, but is an indirect action of catecholamines released from the adrenal medulla on the post-junctional receptors. 7 The study also suggests that the initial acceleration of salivary flow due to nicotine is characterized by a mechanism different from that of amylase secretion.