Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate concentration in rabbit parotid slices following stimulation by secretagotues

The effects of sympathomimetic and parasympathomimetic drugs on cyclic AMP concentration in rabbit parotid slices were investigated. Catecholamines caused a large increase of cyclic AMP which was inhibited by the β-adrenoreceptor blocking agent propranolol; the α-adrenoreceptor blocking agent phentolamine was ineffective. Parasympathomimetic drugs, potent inducers of secretion in vivo and in vitro, did not change the cyclic AMP concentration. These data suggest that the secretory process mediated by cholinergic innervation of the parotid gland is independent of cyclic AMP.