Distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerve fibers in the human submandibular gland

The indirect immunofluorescence technique was used to study the distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in human submandibular gland. A relatively low number of thin varicose fibers with intense immunofluorescence for CGRP was seen in samples from seven glands. These CGRP-immunoreactive (CGRP-IR) nerve fibers were mainly seen around or in close contact with intra- and interlobular blood vessels. Some CGRP-IR nerve fibers were also found in association with intra- and interlobular salivary ducts and a few around the submandibular acini. By visual estimation there was no difference in the density of CGRP-IR nerve fibers between specimens of recurrent duct obstruction and laryngeal carcinoma. The present results show that the distribution of CGRP-IR nerve fibers in the stroma and in the glandular secretory elements of the human submandibular gland is quite similar to that seen in the rat and the ferret, which have been reported earlier. Furthermore, the regional distribution of CGRP-IR fibers in the human submandibular gland suggests that CGRP has a physiological role in the regulation of salivary gland function in human salivary glands, e.g. blood flow and secretion.