Mechanism of the protective effect of sympathetic denervation on the development of experimental staphylococcal sialadenitis

Membrane potentials (MP) of different cell types of submaxillary glands were studied on rats with intact innervation and after preliminary sympathectomy at varying stages of experimental staphylococcal sialadenitis (2 and 24 h). Two hours and especially 24 hours after priming the rats with intact innervation manifested an abrupt fall in the MP in acinar and ductal cells. Two hours after administration of staphylococcus toxin the MP of salivary gland cells in sympathectomized rats did not differ from normal. Following 24 hours there were far less changes in the MP as compared to those in poisoned rats with intact innervation of the salivary glands.