Comparison of the protein pattern of mouse parotid glands in pre- and post-administration of dobutamine and terbutaline

  To detect the effects of sympathomimetic drugs with selective action on β1 and β2 adrenoceptors, male albino mice were treated by intraperitoneal administration of dobutamine and terbutaline for 15 days. Three groups of mice were selected as dobutamine, terbutaline and control groups, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and the parotid glands were removed and prepared for biochemical studies. The two drugs induced an increase in the weight of the parotid glands compared to the controls (p<0.01). On the other hand, the total protein and α-amylase levels of the glands increased significantly by the drugs (p<0.01). SDS-PAGE of the parotid glands revealed new protein bands in the dobutamine and terbutaline groups. The density of the protein bands with molecular weights of about 50 and 40 Kd in the experimental groups showed that the synthesis and storage of amylase increased in the parotid glands by long-term administration of the drugs. A 37 and 21 Kd increase in the density of the protein bands in the dobutamine and terbutaline groups shows that the synthesis of proline-rich proteins (PRPs) may have increased. Also, this research indicates that the number of β-adrenoceptors may be high in the mouse parotid gland.