Effects of chronic hypoxia on the secretory responses of rat salivary glands

Female Wistar rats were placed for 3 weeks in a simulated chamber evacuated by a vacuum pump and maintained at 40.5 kPa (7100 m). Dose response curves were obtained through the sequential injection, via the femoral vein, of increasing doses of methacholine, methoxamine, isoprenaline and substance P. The secretory activity in the parotid gland after exposure to chronic hypoxia was significantly decreased for all agonists studied, and the submaxillary gland showed the same behaviour except in relation to isoprenaline, which did not show a significant difference compared to controls. These data suggest that changes in the number or sensitivity of autonomic receptors and/or alterations in the intracellular signals caused by hypoxia may be involved in the reduction in salivary secretory responses.