Secretion of glucose-C 14 by dog parotid gland

Abstract

Following the administration of glucose-C 14 to the dog, the unaltered radioactive glucose molecule can be identified in the parotid saliva by means of chromatography. The concentration of glucose in saliva is low, averaging but 3–4 per cent of the plasma concentration. The amount of radioactivity in the parotid saliva increases as the rate of salivary flow increases. Stop-flow studies indicate that the primary site for transport of glucose from plasma to saliva is in the intralobular ducts. The results of this technique, in combination with other data, strongly suggest that glucose enters the saliva by a passive process.