X-ray microanalysis of the rat parotid gland after chronic sympathectomimetic stimulation

The effects of chronic treatment with isoproterenol, reserpine, prenalterol, and terbutaline on rat parotid gland were investigated by electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Chronic isoproterenol treatment induced lower potassium and calcium concentrations in the acinar cells. The cells were enlarged and contained more and larger zymogen granules than acinar cells in the controls. The zymogen granules contained markedly less sulfur, potassium, and calcium than in control animals. Prenalterol had effects similar to those of isoproterenol, but less pronounced, whereas terbutaline had no significant effects. Chronic treatment with reserpine caused a decrease in calcium levels but did not affect potassium levels. The changes in elemental composition in parotid acinar cells after chronic treatment with isoproterenol and reserpine differed from those induced by the same treatment in the submandibular gland of the rat.