vasoactive-intestinal-peptide and Xerostomia

We have shown in earlier studies that xerostomia can be treated successfully with acupuncture. We also found that acupuncture stimulation can increase the concentration of neuropeptides in the saliva of healthy subjects. In this study, the concentration of the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was measured in the saliva of xerostomic patients in connection with acupuncture treatment (AP). Patients suffering from xerostomia caused by irradiation treatment, Sjögren's syndrome and other systemic disorders had been treated with acupuncture. Some of these patients showed an increase of their salivary flow rates after the AP was completed. Seventeen patients out of 65 were chosen due to their ability to produce enough saliva for the radio immunoassay (RIA) analyses to be conducted prior to the start of AP. VIP-like immunoreactivity (VIP-LI) was measured in the chewing stimulated saliva of these patients before and after the whole AP (24 sessions of 30 min each). The results showed that there was a significant increase of the concentration of VIP after the AP as compared to the measurements made before the start of the treatment (p<0.05). We concluded that the increase of neuropeptide VIP might be one of the mechanisms behind the positive effect of acupuncture on the salivary flow rates of the xerostomic patients.

Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Aged; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Female; Humans; Immunoassay; Male; Middle Aged; Physical Stimulation; Saliva; Salivation; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; Xerostomia

Exocrine secretions proceed in two phases which can be studied individually in submandibular glands. We have investigated the response to neuropeptides and purinergic agonists of rat submandibular glands. Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide (PACAP), an analog of VIP increased the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP in acinar cells. PACAP also stimulated the activity of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-)-cotransporter. Extracellular ATP increased the [Ca2+]i in ductal cells. Two distinct receptors were involved in this response. A metabotropic purinergic receptor of the P2Y1 type raised the cellular concentration of IP3 after activating a phospholipase C. The second component of the purinergic response involved an ionotropic P2X7 receptor. After binding an agonist, this receptor formed a non-specific cation channel permeant to calcium and manganese, highly sensitive to inhibition by nickel. Two phospholipases A2 were activated following the occupancy of this receptor. The calcium-independent enzyme triggered kallikrein secretion in response to extracellular ATP. In conclusion, neuropeptides and purinergic agonists activate the acinar and ductal phases of the salivary secretion and are therefore promising candidates for the development of new sialagogues for therapeutic use.

Topics: Animals; Carrier Proteins; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Neuropeptides; Neurotransmitter Agents; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; Purinergic Agonists; Rats; Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters; Submandibular Gland; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; Xerostomia