Author(s): Lucena, Sónia ; Capela e Silva, Fernando ; Lamy, Elsa ; Fialho, Luisa ; Neves, Sandra
Date: 2017
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10174/20609
Origin: Repositório Científico da Universidade de Évora
Subject(s): Hyperleptinemia; leptin; salivar glands; Wistar rats
Saliva production is mainly regulated by the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic); however studies indicate a possible hormonal influence on the control of salivary secretion. This study aims to assess if the induction of increased levels of circulating leptin influence the immunohistochemical expression of leptin at the level of major salivary glands in Wistar rats. It was found that the expression, in qualitative terms, of leptin has been positive, being more evident in submandibular and sublingual glands, either in the acini or ducts. However, through this technique, no obvious differences between groups could be observed. The results suggest that circulating leptin levels may not affect the expression of this hormone in the major salivary glands.
