A Comparison Between Changes in Rat Parotid Protein Composition 1 and 12 Weeks Following Surgical Sympathectomy

One week after surgical sympathectomy the amylase and protein concentrations of parotid glands were increased by 250 and 51% respectively. Whilst these concentration changes had partly returned to normal after 12 weeks, major differences still remained in the protein composition of parotid glands. Anion-exchange chromatography showed that proline-rich proteins were progressively reduced and that the relative proportions of other proteins changed variably. These results indicate that normal synthesis of proline-rich proteins requires on-going stimulation of the cells via the sympathetic nerve. In the absence of sympathetic nerve activity there was initially an increased synthesis of amylase which then returned towards normal.