Effects of atropine or high frequency burst excitation on the composition of parasympathetic rat parotid saliva

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Abstract
In the presence of atropine continuous trains of impulses applied to the auriculo-temporal nerve at relatively high frequencies evoked a flow of parotid saliva that amounted to 5-10% of that before administration of the muscarinic blocker. The output of total protein, amylase, Na and K decreased markedly. However, in terms of concentration, protein and amylase increased, while Na decreased and K was unchanged. When, in the absence of atropine, the continuous mode of stimulation was replaced by bursts of impulses of high frequencies the amount of saliva decreased. However, the concentration of protein, amylase and K increased, while Na concentration decreased. The findings are discussed in relation to a possible peptidergic innervation of the secretory elements.