Effects of isoproterenol on I131 uptake by the submaxillary glands in mice.

DL-isoproterenol hydrochloride (1 mg/kg body weight/day) was subcutaneously administered to male A2G mice during 15 or 45 days. The sympathetic superior cervical ganglion of each mouse was resected on the right side, two days before beginning the injections. At the end of the injection period, the I131 submaxillary/plasma ratios and I131 thyroid uptake (%) were measured 3 hours after a tracer dose. The administration of isoproterenol induced marked hypertrophy in both normal and denervated submaxillary glands. At 15 days the I131 submaxillary/plasma ratios of the isoproterenol treated mice were slightly decreased on the normal side and were not modified on the denervated side. At 45 days the I131 submaxillary/plasma ratios were markedly decreased on both sides. The thyroid weight and I131 uptake were not modified by the isoproterenol treatment.