Peroxidase secretion in rat submandibular glands induced by PGE2: role of cAMP and nitric oxide.

Free radicals are associated with the appearance of disorders such as tumours, CNS alterations and inflammatory pathologies. Their levels are known to be increased in inflammatory diseases due to the activity of prostaglandins, which are related to protein secretion including enzymes. Peroxidase is an oral enzyme that is implicated in the defence of the oral cavity. In this paper, investigations of the effect and mechanism of the activity of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on peroxidase secretion of female rat submandibular glands are reported. Results showed that PGE2 significantly increased the secretion of submandibular peroxidase and that this effect was mediated by an increase of intracellular cAMP and nitric oxide synthase activation. This could imply that prostaglandins play a modulatory role in diseases where free radicals are involved.