Introduction: isoprenaline is a sympathomimetic, beta_receptors agonist from the catecholamines category and the application of these compounds as a partitioning agent of protein and fat in domestic animals is of interest. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of administration of this compound on histological and biochemical properties of salivary glands and changes in protein biosynthesis in this tissue of sheep and rat.
Methods: 7 sheep and 12 rats were divided into different groups. One group of sheep, received 0.1 mg isoprenaline per kg body weight daily intraperitoneally. Salivary glands changes were compared with control group after 35 days. In rats the same experiment was repeated but the amount of injection was 5 mg per kg body weight daily. After 21 days, animals were sacrificed and their salivary glands removed and tissue extract prepared. Total protein was measured and SDS_PAGE was done and tissue sections were prepared for light microscopic studies.
Results: Long term Isoprenaline injection caused hypertrophy of the acinar cells in and increase of protein synthesis specially (proline rich proteins, PRP) in the parotid and submandibular glands of rats. In sheep, no change was observed.
Conclusion: These findings indicate existence of bete_adrenergic receptors in salivary glands of rat and their absence in sheep. Application of this drug in sheep probably does not result in significant changes in protein metabolism at least in selected tissues.