A. Kawabata et al., Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2): regulation of salivary and pancreatic exocrine secretion in vivo in rats and mice, BR J PHARM, 129(8), 2000, pp. 1808-1814
1 Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is expressed throughout the gastr
ointestinal tract including the pancreas, and may be involved in digestive
functions. The aim of our study was to evaluate a potential role for PAR-2
in regulating salivary and pancreatic exocrine secretion in vivo.
2 PAR-2-activating peptides (PAR-7-APs), but not selective PAR-1-APs, admin
istered intravenously, increased salivary secretion in the mouse or rat; th
is effect of the PAR-2-APs was unaffected by atropine, phentolamine, propra
nolol or indomethacin.
3 Secretion (amylase) by rat parotid gland slices in vitro was also stimula
ted by PAR-2-APs and trypsin, but not by activation of other PARs.
4 PAR-2-APs. administered to rats in vivo, caused a prompt effect on pancre
atic exocrine secretion.
5 PAR-2 mRNA, known to be present in pancreatic tissue, was also detected i
n parotid tissue.
6 Our results indicate that in addition to a potential role in regulating c
ardiovascular and respiratory functions, PAR-2 may also play a general role
in vivo for the direct regulation of glandular exocrine secretion.