Changes in activities of several enzymes for carbohydrate metabolism in the rat submaxillary gland in response to experimental diabetes and insulin treatment.

It is well known that polydipsia related with hyperglycemia is commonly found under the diabetic condition. It may reasonably be assumed that such a situation has a marked influence on the function of the salivary gland, since fluid with the volume almost comparable to that of the urine is excreted from the salivary gland in the case of healthy human subjects. However, only a few studies have been made on the function of the salivary gland in relation with diabetes [1, 2, 3]. In the present study, the author examined the activity of several enzymes for carbohydrate metabolism in the rat submaxillary gland under the experimental diabetic condition. In vitro study was also performed if insulin had a direct effect on the salivary gland.