Oxygen consumption mediated by M2 muscarinic receptors in rat salivary glands.

Carbachol and oxotremorine stimulated the consumption of oxygen in rat parotid, submandibular, and sublingual gland slices in a dose-dependent manner. Their actions were abolished by atropine and nifedipine but not by trihexyphenidyl. The findings suggest that carbachol and oxotremorine enhanced oxygen consumption in the major salivary gland slices by the activation of the calcium-dependent muscarinic M2 receptors.