Changes in Activities of Several Enzymes for Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Rat Submaxillary Gland in Response to Experimental Diabetes and Insulin Treatment

Abstract

The changes of activities of hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-dehydrogenase were examined in the submaxillary gland of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and in that treated with insulin in vitro. Atrophy of the submaxillary gland and the decreases in activities of those enzymes were observed in the diabetic rats. On the other hand, activities of those enzymes were increased by insulin. It was discussed that findings may be related to the oral physiological dysfunction and several symptoms caused in the oral cavity in patients with diabetes mellitus.