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The separating zone of rat submandibular gland striated duct cells were studied in detail by electron microscopy. In order to get optimal stimulation of the glands the animals were starved for 24 h followed by feeding 15 min before sacrifice, and tissue removal. The separating zone is morphologically defined by numerous filaments which are located within the apical part of cell. Some of the filaments had a parallel arrangement, running horizontally and being attached to belt desmosomes at the cell periphery. Following the shedding of apical blebs, these filaments appeared to constitute the luminal boundary of striated duct cells. It was observed that the separating zones showed different degrees of density. This is supposed to reflect different stages in the reconstruction of the apical cell surface. It is thus considered that the separating zone, with numerous filaments, is of importance both of the apical secretion per se, and the formation of the new apical cell membrane.

Enzyme variants may serve an adaptive role in providing the correct vectorial properties for the metabolism of a tissue, or broadening its environmental tolerance range. To determine if the LDH isoenzyme pattern of human dental pulp changes during inflammation, supernatants from normal and inflamed dental pulp homogenates were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Inflamed pulps had a higher M subunit content and a markedly increased enzyme activity. These results might reflect adaptive changes at the enzyme level associated with a partial shift towards anaerobic metabolism during inflammation of the pulp.

Previous investigations have indicated that striated-duct cells react to stimulation with an apocrine secretion, morphologically demonstrated by bleb-like projections of the apical cytoplasm. Since bleb formation as an ultrastructural feature also has been debated and sometimes interpreted as a fixation artifact, it was considered essential to extend the studies by exposing the submandibular gland to X rays to establish whether such treatment would have any influence on the formation of blebs. The material used in the present study consisted of rat submandibular glands exposed to X rays in the range of 200-1800 rad. The glands were examined by both SEM and TEM. The duct cells exposed to 200 rad appeared normal, with no sign of alteration in their ability to produce blebs, whereas duct cells exposed to 750 rad showed no sign of bleb formation. Some of the duct cells exposed to 1800 rad showed considerable morphological changes, consistent with oncotic transformation. The results support the conclusion that bleb formation is a normal morphological feature and not an artifact. This study also indicates that the functional activity of the cells is reduced after exposure to X rays.

Apical blebs of rat submandibular gland striated ducts were studied by electron microscopy. The glands were stimulated by starvation of the animals for 24 h whereafter they were fed 15 min before death and tissue removal. After stimulation most striated duct cells developed apical blebs, with various shapes and usually without granules and vesicles. A semi-separating filamentous structure separates the cell from the content of the bleb. Apparently only the vesicular and granular content can pass through this structure and enter the bleb. Following the appearance of small ruptures in the bleb membrane, the bleb is discarded into the lumen of the duct where it disintegrates. Typical wall-like protrusions on the luminal surface of the duct cell, are probably, rudiments of the ruptured bleb membrane. It is suggested that the apical blebs are manifestations of apocrine secretion.

For the present study Seal (Phoca vitulina) and rat submandibular gland striated ducts were investigated by electron microscopy. Both normal and stimulated animals (starved for 24 h and then fed 2 h before the tissues were removed) were examined. Basal invaginations of the cell membrane with areas heavily loaded with mitochondria were typical features of both animals. Secretory granules were especially numerous in the apical part of stimulated duct cells. The granules were separated from the luminal membrane of the cells by a condensed area called the spearating zone. Apical protrusions or blebs, which were frequently occurring in striated ducts of both animals, are interpreted as manifestations of apocrine secretion. It was concluded that this way of apocrine secretion is a fundamental function, since seals, which have salivary glands of a rather simple composition with acini which are functionally reduced, have retained the ability to form blebs.

Several previous investigations have shown that blebs form on the apical surface of the striated duct cells of the rat submandibular gland on feeding after starvation. In the present report the influence of autonomic nerve stimulation on bleb formation was studied by electron microscopy. Both parasympathetic and sympathetic stimulation were performed, using electric nerve stimulation. In addition, sympathetic nerve stimulation in combination with alpha- or beta-adrenergic blockers was used. Massive bleb formation took place in response to sympathetic nerve stimulation. This response was almost completely abolished by the administration of alpha- but not by beta-adrenergic blocker. Bleb formation was not seen after parasympathetic nerve stimulation.