Enzymatic Activity of Radiated and Normal Salivary Gland Tissues

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Abstract
The problem of evaluating early changes occurring in the salivary glands of rats following radiation was investigated from a metabolic viewpoint. The activities of several enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrate were studied by observing changes in optical density which occur in coenzymes required in the enzymatic reaction. Assays were performed on supernatant fractions of centrifuged homogenates of the submaxillary-sublingual salivary glands. Some of the animals were radiated locally over these glands 1-20 days prior to killing. Within 2-3 days following 3-5999 r of 200 kyp X-ray, significant increases were noted in activities of glucose-6-phosphate and isocitric dehydrogenase when the activities were related to total protein content of the sample. Total activities for the whole salivary gland for the average animal did not increase, because of a glandular weight loss following exposure. Total activity for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase remained within the range of non-radiated animals. Isocritric dehydrogenase was significantly decreased between the 4th and 14th days rose toward the end of the 20-day study period. The possible relation of these findings to changes in salivary flow following radiation is discussed.