Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: [Email]
OBJECTIVE : The aim of this study was to determine the effects of experimental CKD into the metabolism of parotid and submandibular glands of rats. CKD was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. METHODS : Serum analyses of BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) and creatinine concentrations were performed. Major salivary glands metabolism was investigated in vivo, both at rest and during salivary stimulation conditions by NMR isotopomer analysis, using [U-13C]glucose as metabolic tracer. RESULTS : CKD increases BUN and serum creatinine concentrations (p < 0.001). Multiple metabolic alterations were detected in the parotid glands of this animal model, including decreased concentrations of alanine (p < 0.05) and creatine (p < 0.05) and increased lactate/alanine ratios (p < 0.05). The salivary stimulus fostered accumulations of acetate at both analyzed glands of the CKD model (p < 0.05), indicative of disruption of the oxidative metabolic process. CONCLUSIONS : Experimental CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy altered the parotid salivary gland function, since glucose metabolism is clearly affected after stimulation for salivation in this gland.
