Abstract
A decrease in nerve reflex activation for 7-14 days, induced by a liquid diet, caused the rat parotid gland to lose weight, involving reduction in both cell size and number. In the atrophied glands, the activity of ornithine decarboxylase, the key enzyme in polyamine formation, and the levels of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine were found to be lowered. The present results are compatible with a role for polyamines in cellular growth.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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DNA / chemistry
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Food, Formulated / adverse effects
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Humans
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Organ Size
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Ornithine Decarboxylase / chemistry
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Parotid Gland / anatomy & histology
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Parotid Gland / metabolism*
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Polyamines / chemistry*
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Putrescine / biosynthesis
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RNA / chemistry
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Rats
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Rats, Inbred Strains
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Spermidine / biosynthesis
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Spermine / biosynthesis
Substances
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Polyamines
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Spermine
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RNA
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DNA
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Ornithine Decarboxylase
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Spermidine
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Putrescine