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Ionomycin (IM) at 5 microM mediates the Ca(2+)/H(+) exchange, while IM at 1 microM activates the store-operated Ca(2+) entry channels (SOCs). In this study, the effects of depolarization on both pathways were examined in rat submandibular acinar cells by increasing extracellular K(+) concentration ([K(+)](o)). IM (5 microM, the Ca(2+)/H(+) exchange) increased the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) to an extremely high value at 151 mM [K(+)](o). However, with increasing [K(+)](o), the rates of Ca(2+) entry decreased in a linear relationship. The reversal potential (E (rev)) for the Ca(2+)/H(+) exchange was +93 mV, suggesting that IM (5 microM) exchanges 1 Ca(2+) for 1 H(+). Thus, depolarization decreases the Ca(2+) influx via the Ca(2+)/H(+) exchange because of its electrogenicity (1 Ca(2+) for 1 H(+)). On the other hand, IM (1 microM, the SOCs) abolished an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) at 151 mM [K(+)](o). With increasing [K(+)](o), the rate of Ca(2+) entry immediately decreased linearly. The E (rev) for the SOC was +3.7 mV, suggesting that the SOCs are nonselective cation channels and less selective for Ca(2+) over Na(+) (P (Ca)/P (Na) = 8.2). Moreover, an increase in extracellular Ca(2+) concentration (20 mM) enhanced the Ca(2+) entry via the SOCs at 151 mM [K(+)](o), suggesting depolarization does not inhibit the SOCs and decreases the driving force for the Ca(2+) entry. This suggests that membrane potential changes induced by a secretory stimulation finely regulate the [Ca(2+)](i) via the SOCs in rat submandibular acinar cells. In conclusion, IM increases [Ca(2+)](i) via two pathways depending on its concentration, the exchange of 1 Ca(2+) for 1 H(+) at 5 muM and the SOCs at 1 microM.

Maintaining the extracellular K(+) concentration ([K(+)](o)) between 15 and 60 mM induced oscillations in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in rat submandibular acinar cells during stimulation with acetylcholine (ACh, 1 micro M). These [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations were also induced by 1 micro M thapsigargin and were inhibited by 50 micro M La(3+), 1 micro M Gd(3+), or the removal of extracellular Ca(2+), indicating that the [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations were generated by store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOC). The frequency of the ACh-evoked [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations increased from 0.8 to 2.3 mHz as [K(+)](o) was increased from 15 to 50 mM. TEA (an inhibitor of K(+) channels) also induced [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations at [K(+)](o) of 4.5 or 7.5 mM in ACh-stimulated cells. These data suggest that depolarization causes [Ca(2+)](i) to oscillate in ACh-stimulated submandibular acinar cells. Pertussis toxin (PTX, an inhibitor of G proteins) caused [Ca(2+)](i) to be sustained at a high level in ACh-stimulated cells at 25 mM or 60 mM [K(+)](o). This suggests that the [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations are generated by a periodic inactivation of the SOC channels via PTX-sensitive G proteins, which are stimulated by depolarization. Moreover, in the presence of DBcAMP or forskolin which accumulated cAMP the frequency of the [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations remained constant (approximately 1.2 mHz) when [K(+)](o) was maintained in the range 25-60 mM. Based on these observations in ACh-stimulated submandibular acinar cells, we conclude that depolarization stimulates the PTX-sensitive G proteins, which inactivate the SOC channels periodically ([Ca(2+)](i) oscillation), while hyperpolarization or PTX inhibits the G proteins, maintaining the activation of the SOC channels. Accumulation of cAMP is likely to modulate the PTX-sensitive G proteins.

The effects of cAMP accumulation evoked by acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation were studied in rat submandibular acinar cells by observing the exocytotic events, swelling of intercellular canaliculi (IC) and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), which were monitored using an optical microscope. ACh stimulation evoked transient increases followed by sustained increases in the frequency of exocytotic events and IC swelling, while isoproterenol (isoprenaline; IPR) stimulation evoked sustained increases in these parameters. BAPTA treatment reduced the frequency of exocytotic events evoked by 5 microM ACh in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, and further addition of Rp-cAMPS or H-89 (protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors) eliminated the remaining ACh-evoked responses (50 %). Addition of PKA inhibitors in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ reduced the frequency of exocytotic events evoked by 500 microM ACh in non-BAPTA-loaded cells. However, IC swelling evoked by 5 microM ACh was not affected by addition of PKA inhibitors, and was eliminated in BAPTA-loaded cells perfused with Ca2+-free solution. These results indicate that the IC swelling is regulated by [Ca2+]i and the frequency of exocytotic events is regulated by both [Ca2+]i and [cAMP]i during ACh stimulation. Addition of H-89 inhibited the capacitative Ca2+ entry into ACh-stimulated acinar cells. Biochemical analysis revealed that ACh stimulation increased the cAMP content in perfused submandibular glands. These results indicate that ACh stimulates the accumulation of cAMP in submandibular acinar cells and that this accumulation of cAMP modulates Ca2+-regulated exocytosis.

The central feature of fluid and electrolyte secretion by salivary acinar cells is transepithelial Cl- movement as a driving force for the secretion. However, little is known about the membrane localization and regulation by agonists of various anion channels. To characterize the anion transport and fluid secretion, we visualized the secretory process induced by the cholinergic agonist, carbachol (CCh), using the anionic fluorescent dye, calcein, under a confocal laser scanning microscope. The fluorescence of calcein loaded into the isolated acini was spread diffusely throughout the cytoplasm and was less intense in the secretory vesicles which occupied the apical pole. Cytoplasmic calcein was released into intercellular canaliculi just after the addition of CCh, depending upon a rise in [Ca2+]i by Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Thereafter, the formation of watery vacuoles connected with intercellular canaliculi was visualized in the calcein-loaded acini, depending upon external Ca2+. Both the calcein release and vacuole formation were inhibited by suppressing the Ca(2+)-activated K+ efflux. The calcein release was also affected by the external anion substitution, suggesting that calcein is released through an anion channel. In the isolated, perfused glands, CCh-induced fluid secretion was sustained in two phases, whereas the loaded calcein was initially and transiently released into the saliva. By revealing the [Ca2+]i dependence and sensitivities to channel blockers, our results suggest that the initial phase of CCh-induced fluid secretion was evoked in association with the release of the organic anion, calcein, and the late phase of fluid secretion, during which calcein is less permeable, was associated with the formation of watery vacuoles. Thus, the anion channels possessing the distinct property of anion permeation may be activated in the initial phase and late phase. These results indicate that the anionic fluorescent dye, calcein, is useful for visualizing the process of Ca(2+)-dependent fluid secretion, and for clarifying the relation between fluid secretion and anion transport.

The effects of HCO3- on fluid secretory rate, cell volume and tissue structure were studied in perfused submandibular salivary glands under hyposmotic conditions (240 mosM). Fluid secretion was elicited by acetylcholine (ACh) in a hyposmotic HCO3(-)-free solution. Upon switching the perfusate from the HCO3(-)-free to the HCO3(-)-containing solution during ACh stimulation, the fluid secretory rate exhibited a small transient increase followed by a sharp decrease. ACh stimulation evoked rapid cell shrinkage in the absence of HCO3-, but upon switching from the HCO3(-)-free to the HCO3(-)-containing solution during ACh stimulation, the acinar cells exhibited increases in volume. In laser confocal microscopic examination of isolated acini, fluorescence of lucifer yellow was detected in the lateral intercellular spaces during ACh stimulation in the absence of HCO3-, but not in the presence of HCO3-. Electron microscopic examination revealed similar findings. We propose that the occlusion of the lateral intercellular space induced by cell swelling may result in an increase in the resistance to fluid flow in the space and consequently a decrease in the fluid secretion rate. Maintenance of an open lateral intercellular space may be an important requirement for fluid secretion. These observations suggest that a paracellular pathway may play a significant role in salivary fluid secretion.

The volume changes of isolated acini and acinar cells from rat submandibular glands were measured from digitized images recorded upon stimulation of acetylcholine (ACh) or reduction of the perfusate osmolarity and water secretion pathway in salivary gland was studied. When acinus is exposed to a hyposmotic solution, water flows into the acinar cells and into the lumen via acinar epithelia. If the water enters the lumen chiefly via the cells, the swelling of the lumen would follow the same time course as the cell swelling or slower. The results show that reduction of the perfusate osmolarity evoked a transient increase followed by a gradual increase in the volume of unstimulated acinus, while it evoked only a gradual increase in the volumes of unstimulated acinar cells. Thus, the time course of the acinar swelling is faster than that of the acinar cell swelling. Reduction of the perfusate osmolarity also evoked a transient swelling in ACh stimulated acini. When acinus is stimulated by ACh, water also flows into the lumen via acinar epithelia according to the osmotic gradient which was generated by the active electrolyte transport of acinar cells. If the water enters the lumen chiefly from the cells, there would be no overall change in acinar volume. The results show that stimulation of ACh (5 microM) evoked a transient increase followed by a gradual decrease in the volume of the acinus, while it evoked only a decrease in the volume of acinar cells. Video-enhanced optical microscopy exhibited that ACh stimulation caused transient swelling of the luminal space, prior to causing the volume of acinar cells to decrease and the transient swelling of the lumen followed the same time course as that of acinus. Thus, the transient acinar swelling is explained by the transient swelling of luminar volume. These results suggest that water is probably drawn into the lumen from interstitial space directly in the salivary acinus.

Transient osmolarity changes in the interstitium of perfused rat submandibular glands were estimated by measurement of the interstitial Cl- concentration ([Cl-]ECF) with an Ag-AgCl electrode upon application of osmotic stress by the addition or subtraction of NaCl. A simple model was used to describe the interstitial osmolarity changes upon the application of osmotic stress. The measured [Cl-]ECF values and interstitial osmolarities were fit well by an exponential function derived from the model. The good fit of the theoretical curve indicates that this model describes adequately the changes in interstitial osmolarity after switching the perfusate osmolarity to a new value.

Osmotic stress was applied to the perfused rat submandibular gland during steady-state fluid secretion. Alterations of perfusate osmolarity, by addition or withdrawal of sucrose or NaCl, caused transient changes in secretory rate during continuous stimulation with 1 microM acetylcholine (ACh). Hyposmotic perfusates transiently increased, and hyperosmotic perfusates transiently reduced, the secretory rate. The transients were attributed to changes in osmotic flow resulting from changes in the instantaneous transepithelial osmotic gradient. The time course of the change in interstitial osmolarity was determined by using a Cl- electrode to record the changes in interstitial Cl- concentration following a step change in perfusate Cl- concentration. From the calculated changes in interstitial osmolarity and the resulting changes in secretory rate, the osmotic water permeability of the secretory pathway was estimated to be greater than 15.0 +/- 1.2 microliter (mosmol 1-1)-1 min-1 (g wet weight)-1 (9.8 x 10(-6) +/- 0.8 x 10(-6) l atm-1s-1g-1). The transepithelial gradient required to sustain steady state, ACh-evoked secretion would therefore be less than 16 mosmol l-1 NaCl, which is consistent with previous micropuncture data indicating that the luminal fluid is approximately isosmotic.

The effects of osmotic gradients on transepithelial water movements were examined in unstimulated perfused submandibular glands of the rat. Osmotic gradients were applied transepithelially by adding sucrose to or removing it from the perfusate. An infusion of hypotonic perfusate shifted fluid from the interstitium to the lumen (luminal fluid shift) transiently, whereas an infusion of hypertonic perfusate shifted fluid from the lumen to the interstitium (interstitial fluid shift) transiently. The amount of fluid shifted from lumen to interstitium increased as the luminal fluid osmolarity was raised or as the perfusate osmolarity was reduced. Thus, fluid movements across the salivary epithelium were shown to be simply dependent on the osmolarity difference between lumen and interstitium. To estimate the effective pore radius of the epithelium, non-electrolyte solutions (urea, dimethylurea, diethylurea, mannitol, sucrose and maltotriose) were also used as luminal solutions. The results from non-electrolyte experiments showed that the effective pore radius of the passage for non-electrolytes was slightly larger than 0.38 nm. Solutes smaller than mannitol were less effective in opposing the interstitial fluid shift, and the value of effective pore radius in this report was similar to that of the secretory water pathway that has been measured in solvent drag studies (0.4 0.45 nm). These findings suggest that the passage for non-electrolytes may be water transport pathway in salivary epithelium.

Exocytosis in the perfused rat submandibular gland was studied using electron microscopy. Stimulation with 1 microM acetylcholine (ACh) evoked exocytosis; i.e., the secretory granules fused with the luminal membrane and their contents were extruded into the luminal space, and watery vacuoles were observed in some acinar cells. Stimulation with 1 mM ACh also induced exocytosis, and led to a marked increase in the number of watery vacuoles. Some watery vacuoles were connected to the lumen and were thus suggested to be formed by the fusion of the granules. On the other hand, no watery vacuoles were observed in the acinar cells during 1 microM isoproterenol stimulation, while isoproterenol induced exocytosis and led to a marked decrease in the number of intracellular granules. Thus, the watery vacuolation is a characteristic response to the cholinergic stimulation, is dependent on the ACh dose in the submandibular acinar cells, and is regarded as a kind of exocytosis.

Cell volume changes were measured by an impedance method during hyperosmotic stress in the perfused rat submandibular gland. When the perfusate osmolarity was raised to 484 mosmol, the cell volume decreased and remained at a plateau level (79%). The decrease was smaller than expected from the extracellular fluid osmolarity change. Furthermore, the potassium content of the gland increased by 7% during the hyperosmotic stress. These results suggest that the cell volume changes observed during hyperosmotic stress are affected by the existence of an osmotically inactive space and by an increase in the intracellular solute content.

Changes in acinar cell volume were measured in the perfused submandibular gland of the rat at 23 degrees C during salivary secretion induced by acetylcholine (ACh). Cellular volume was monitored by two methods: the impedance method and the morphometric method using video-enhanced contrast optical microscopy. Both measurements revealed a decrease in acinar cell volume in response to 1 microM ACh. Within the 1st min of stimulation, secretion increased to the initial maximum (initial secretion), and cell shrinkage occurred. During sustained stimulation, secretory rate and cell volume were maintained at the plateau level (steady secretion). The decrease in cell volume was 71.8 +/- 2.9% of resting volume (means +/- SE, n = 8) as measured by the impedance method and 76.1 +/- 2.0% (n = 20) as measured by the morphometric method. With the removal of ACh, cell volume increased to 111.6 +/- 2.7% (n = 8) of the prestimulation level as measured by the impedance method and 108.8 +/- 1.5% (n = 20) as measured by the morphometric method, and then recovered to the prestimulation level slowly. The weight of the gland decreased significantly during stimulation. These findings proved that volume decrease occurred during stimulation. The measurement of cell volume gave the net fluid flux of the acinar cell compartment. The net fluid flux and the rate of salivary secretion gave an estimation of the fluid influx across the basolateral membrane. These findings suggest that a transcellular route for fluid secretion exists in the salivary gland.

A simple method for measuring rates of blood flow through a glandular tissue and the salivary secretion was devised by using an electronic balance. The method proved to have a sufficiently high time resolution and accuracy.

The electrical impedance of the dog submandibular gland, as an indicator of changes in extracellular fluid (ECF) volume, was measured at 5 kHz, 500 kHz, and 5 MHz at intervals of 10 s during secretory stimulation, because the conductivity calculated from impedance at low frequencies reflected the ECF volume. The decrease in conductivity occurred in the first minute of stimulation. Its decrease was more marked during stimulation after circulatory arrest. Salivary secretion under intact circulation consists of two phases: an initial secretion occurring in the first minute of stimulation with a high secretory rate and a steady secretion continuing during stimulation at a constant rate. A decrease in conductivity occurred in the initial secretion. Within a few minutes following the cessation of stimulation, the conductivity increased to a level higher than the resting one with an intact circulation, while the blood flow remained several times higher than in the resting state. The conductivity of the gland slowly recovered to the prestimulation level over a 30-min period. The histological examination revealed that the main compartment of the ECF change was the interlobular space. Impedance and histological studies showed that the ECF volume of salivary glands changes dynamically during secretion. On the other hand, the cellular volume also increased in the initial secretion of an isolated gland. Its increase suggested that the fluid was transported to the lumen via a cellular pathway as well as a paracellular pathway in the initial secretion.

Microscopic observations were made of volume changes in ECF of the dog submandibular glands during resting state and stimulated state without blood supply. The interlobular space, one of the compartments of ECF, decreased significantly during stimulation when blood supply was absent. The results show that the interlobular space plays an important role as a reservoir of fluid in salivary secretion.

Intracellular K+ activity (alpha Ki) and transmembrane potential differences were simultaneously measured with double-barreled K+ selective microelectrodes in superfused canine submandibular glands at rest and during stimulation. Also intracellular K+ and N+ concentrations in the same gland were determined by chemical analyses for comparison with the intracellular K+ activity data. The activity coefficient for intracellular K+ thus obtained was 0.67, indicating that virtually all K+ ions in the cells are in diffusible and osmotically active form. Under control conditions, measured values of the resting membrane potential (Em), alpha Ki and K+ equilibrium potential (EK) were -40.2 +/- 0.6 mV (S.E., n = 163), -88.5 +/- 1.4 mM (S.E., n = 163), -83 mV respectively. Electrochemical potential differences for K+ across the basolateral membrane (delta micro K/F) were approximately +43 mV. Acetylcholine (ACh) induced an abrupt membrane hyperpolarization followed by a temporary fall of alpha Ki. The maximum rate of alpha Ki change in the cytoplasm during stimulated conditions was -35.5 +/- 0.9 mM/min on the average (n = 10). These results suggest that the membrane permeability increases to K+ upon stimulation. Possible changes in membrane permeabilities to Na+ and Cl- were also discussed.

The topical magnetic resonance (TMR) was used to study the phosphorous metabolism of a dog's submandibular gland during acetylcholine stimulation. The experiments were carried out under two conditions. One was a normal blood supply (in vivo) and the other was vascular perfusion with the artificial perfusate (in vitro). The levels of phosphorous compounds in the gland were obtained for 31P-NMR spectra of the TMR. The saliva was secreted in the both conditions, though the salivary flow under the in vivo condition was higher than in vitro. During salivary secretion, only the levels of creatine phosphate decreased under in vivo condition, while the levels of creatine phosphate and ATP decreased and the levels of inorganic phosphate increased in in vitro cases. It was concluded that the decrement of creatine phosphate during the salivary secretion indicates the acceleration of the energy metabolism in the submandibular gland.

The dependency of fluid secretion on extracellular Na+ and the levels of phosphorus compounds were studied in the perfused canine mandibular gland (using 31P-NMR). During control perfusion, the resting levels of creatine phosphate (CP) and ATP were 0.62 +/- 0.05 mmol . kg-1 gland and 0.42 +/- 0.04 mmol . kg-1 (mean +/- S.E., n = 9), respectively. Acetylcholine (Ach; 1 mumol . l-1 for 3 min) induced a salivary secretion and decreased the CP level. When Na+ in the perfusate was completely replaced with Li+, Ach induced only a minimal salivary secretion and no change in the ATP and CP levels. Restitution of Na+ to the perfusion, even without added Ach, caused a decrease in ATP and CP, and a small increase in salivary secretion. These results suggest that the activity of Na+/K+ ATPase is increased inversely via a rise of the intracellular Na+ concentration and that the salivary secretion is induced not only by added secretagogues but by an increase in the Na+ entry without added secretagogues.

Changes in acinar cell volume during secretion were observed in the perfused rat mandibular gland by the video-enhanced contrast (VEC) microscopy. The acinar cell shrank (81.3 +/- 4.9% (mean +/- S.D., n = 5] during acetylcholine stimulation and swelled (107.4 +/- 2.3% (n = 5] after cessation of the stimulation. These evidences suggested that a large amount of fluid is transported via transcellular route in the salivary gland.

The method of electrical impedance measurement was tested for its usefulness in monitoring of extra-cellular fluid (ECF) in the dog submandibular gland during salivary secretion. Measurements were performed during rest and stimulated state with or without blood supply. During stimulation with blood supply, the conductivities of the gland decreased to some extent. During stimulation without blood supply, the decrease in conductivities was markedly enhanced. The decrease of ECF compartment during stimulation without blood supply was ascertained by the stereological measurement. Coincidence of conductivity decrease and histologically observed decrease of ECF compartment supports the usefulness of impedance measurement for monitoring of ECF during secretory activity of gland tissue. The present study also shows that the interlobular space decreased mainly during stimulation when blood supply is absent. This indicates that, among ECF space, the interlobular space plays an important role as a fluid reservoir in the salivary gland.

Intracellular Cl- activity (aiCl) and transmembrane potential (delta psi m) of canine submandibular gland cells were measured in vitro by using Cl- sensitive liquid membrane microelectrodes. Under the conditions of superfusion with a control solution, average Cl- activity of the resting cells was slightly higher than those predicted from Nernstian equilibrium.