Effects of injection of botulinum toxin on nNOS in the rat submandibular gland

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We investigated the influence of botulinum toxin A on the distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the salivary glands. Using the submandibular glands of male Wistar rats weighing 250-300g. We studied the immunohistochemical reaction of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the submandibular gland, in both untreated glands and after intraductal injection of botulinum toxin A under general anesthesia. Botulinum toxin A treatment markedly inhibited the chorda-evoked fluid responses, and decreased nNOS in the submandibular glands. In addition, when N^G-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester treatment was extended over a long period of time it both inhibited fluid responses and decreased the neuronal nitric oxide synthase reaction. These results suggest that botulinum toxin A treatment of the submandibular gland significantly decreases salivary secretion, and has significantly fewer side effects than additional N^G-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester treatment. The influence of botulinum toxin A on neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the submandibular gland might explain the longer duration of the toxin effect at the neuroglandular junction than at the motor endplate.