Salivary Gland Atrophy in Rat Induced by Liquid Diet.

Abstract

SummaryA diet of liquid ration (either Metrecal or liquid homogenized chow) caused atrophy of all major salivary glands in rats. No nutritional inadequacy accounted for the effects. The glands, as well as the acinar cells of these tissues, were markedly reduced in size; ducts were not appreciably altered. The parotid gland, the most affected of the 3, exhibited a decrease in amylase in the gland as well as in the secretion, but no appreciable change in concentration of Na and K in the secretion was noted. The functional and structural changes observed occur despite an intact innervation and suggest that activity of the glands, dissociated from neurotrophic influences, plays a major role in maintenance of gland integrity.