Botulinum toxin A inhibits salivary secretion of rabbit submandibular gland

Abstract

Treatment with botulinum toxin A (BTXA) brings overactive salivary glands under control by restraining fluid secretion. Although several clinical studies have demonstrated that BTXA can inhibit glandular activity, its mechanism was poorly defined. Peking University researcher Zhi-Gang Cai and colleagues in China examined how BTXA affects production of saliva in the rabbit submandibular gland. Within a week of injection, they observed a considerably reduced saliva output and noted that the effects of BTXA persisted after 12 weeks. Some of these effects appear to be attributable to localized toxicity to secretory cells, but the researchers also observed selective inhibition of particular signaling pathways that control fluid production. As the effects of BTXA are relatively long-lasting but also reversible, the researchers conclude that it should offer effective treatment for medical conditions associated with excessive drooling.

Keywords

aquaporin-5 / apoptosis / botulinum toxin A / M3-muscarinic acetylcholine receptor / submandibular gland

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