Studies on anesthesia and salivation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09337
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55050:Anesthesiology-related
• Research Institution: Tokai University
• Principal Investigator: Watanabe Mariko 東海大学, 医学部, 講師 (60609220)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 吉川 正信 東海大学, 医学部, 准教授 (90276791)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 唾液分泌 / Dアミノ酸 / マイクロダイアリシス / NMDA受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Several D-amino acids including D-serine are present in the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands of male Wistar rats. D-serine is produced by serine racemase (Srr) and metabolized by D-amino acid oxidase (DAO). D-Aspartate is metabolized by D-aspartic acid oxidase (DDO). The gene and protein expressions of Srr, DAO, DDO, and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor subunits (NR1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) are found in all three major salivary glands. These results suggest that D-amino acids in salivary glands may regulate salivary secretory function through NMDA receptors.

Free Research Field

麻酔科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

麻酔薬による口腔内分泌は、臨床において気道管理上重要な要素の一つである。本研究により、NMDA受容体を介した唾液分泌の作用機序が明らかとなれば、唾液腺内Dアミノ酸に着目した新たな薬剤が開発され、気道管理の向上が期待できる。