Effects of Parotin on Long Bone Structure

and Vascularization

F. Navarrina Gamez, M. P. Alonso Martinez, and E. R. Meanos Melon

Introduction

Parotin is considered by some authors a true hormone obtained from the

striated ducts of the parotid gland [9, 12]. It is also known as parotin-P and can
be found both in parotid saliva and in urine. Parotin has extremely specific
effects on different tissues [5, 6, 8, 10, 11]. This is especially important, quali-
tatively and quantitatively, on long bones and their vascularization [1, 2]
(Fig. 1).

Parotid I1/JD~_
Glandr&Y

Salvia Parotin

1 ~
---'p
I
Uro Parotin

Fig. 1. Scheme of the sources and effects of parotin

J. Arlet et al. (eds.), Bone Circulation and Bone Necrosis

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1990
48 F. Navarrina Gamez et al.

Material and Methods

We used 40 Sprague-Dawley Ofa albino rats (20 males and 20 females) which
were 4 weeks old. They were divided into following groups: (1) control males
(CM), (2) control females (CF), (3) males injected with parotin, 3 mg three
times a week (Pi CM), (4) females injected with parotin, 3 mg three times a
week (Pi CF), (5) males injected with parotin, 5 mg three times a week (P2CM),
and (6) females injected with parotin, 5 mg three times a week (P2CF).
The duration of the experiment ranged between a minimum of 2 and a
maximum of 12 months. Feeding of experimental animals was controlled and
was the same for both experimental and control rats. They were analyzed by
radiographic examination and biochemical blood test. At the end of the exper-
iment x-rays were taken of the animals and after death they were subjected to
the techniques generally used in osseous vascularization (Indian ink, Mi-
cropaque, neoprene latex, vinyl acetate) and to histologic techniques (Heiden-
hain's aniline blue orange, Navarrina-Alonso-Sanz modification).

Results

We will now systematically report the variations observed in each portion of

the growing long bone.

Epiphysis
Arterial System
Vessels are divided into two branches, epiphyseal-articular and epiphyseal-jux-
ta-epiphyseal, which supply matrix and proliferative physeal zones. We wish to

Fig. 2. Section of epiphysis,

juxta-epiphysary plate, phy-
sis and the initial portion of
metaphysis in an albino rat.
Extensive microvasculariza-
tion through the epiphysis
(the juxta-epiphyseal artery,
branch of the epiphyseal ar-
tery at juxta-epiphyseal plate
supplies the level of the ma-
trix area of the physis)
Effects of Parotin on Long Bone Structure and Vascularization 49

emphasize the absence of anastomoses between both arteries, noting an in-

crease of about 5% in epiphyseal-juxta-epiphyseal vascularization in experi-
mental animals.

Venous System
This system is similar at the epiphyseal level to controls with regard to epiphy-
seal and juxta-articular vascularization. However, at the level ofjuxty-epiphy-
seal plate a profuse vascularization with drainage about 20% greater than that
of the control group can be observed (Fig. 2).

Physis

No important cellular modifications were found, but the four strata were well
formed.

Metaphysis

Arterial System
Two kinds of vessels can be seen, the metaphyseal-diaphyseal arteries which
occupy the central portion of the metaphyseal base and the specific metaphy-
seal arteries which occupy the peripheric zone. Under experimental conditions
they are very rectilinear and poorly ramified, but numerous arteries give otT
well-defined branches that end in perfect vascular arteriovenous loops at the
level of the erosion line. The number of metaphyseal arteries in animals treated
with parotin is higher than in the bone of control animals (about 40%).

Venous System
The venous distribution is regular and organized into a system of lacunae that
are the source of the peripheric metaphyseal veins and metaphyseal-diaphyseal
veins which join concurring to the diaphyseal vein; we can not claim any
venous dilatation by circulation-stasis. The number of branches is similar in
experimental and control animals (Fig. 3).

Diaphysis

Arterial System
The arterial system of experimental animals does not greatly differ from that
of control animals. In experimental animals there were 20% more vessels than
in control animals.

Venous System
The central diaphyseal vein has a true functional character since a large meta-
physeal hematic component leads to this pool. No pathologic dilatations were
seen even though the diameter is greater along its course due to an increase of
venous circulation. This is a fact that we consider very important for bone
development.
50 F. Navarrina Gamez et al.

Fig. 3. Afferent veins and characteristic

central vein in the animals treated with
parotin

Discussion and Conclusions

Since the studies by Ogata [7] and Ito [3, 4] the relationship between the
salivary glands and different tissues of our organism, especially bone, has been
accepted. In this paper we have summarized the microvascular modification
we have observed.
The arterial system in other portions of long bone has its own characteris-
tics; it is more extensive in juxta-epiphyseal plate and metaphysis. The venous
system is more extensive in its epiphyseal juxta-epiphyseal and diaphyseal
sections, but it has a regular distribution. We think that having good osseous
drainage is of major importance in the evolution of both normal and patholog-
ic bone.
In experimental animals more outstanding results were those obtained with
the P2CM and P2CF groups (starting at the 2nd month of study and through-
out the whole experiment). Vascular increase is not gradual, but after the 4th
month it remains stabile.
Finally, we present in the following synopsis the results of the use of
parotin in human disease:

1. Rickets: good results are obtained in 30% of patients.

2. Osteochondritis: good results are obtained in 50% of patients.
3. Aseptic osteonecrosis of short bones: good results are obtained in 80% of
patients.
Effects of Parotin on Long Bone Structure and Vascularization 51

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1 2

1 2 4 5

Fig.4A-C. Experimental results of the effect of parotin. A Arterial distribution. 1, Con-

trols; 2, epiphysis (10% +); 3, juxta-epiphyseal plate (50% +); 4, metaphysis (40% +);
5, diaphysis (20% +). B Venous distribution. 1, Controls; 2, epiphysis = control; 3,juxta-epi-
physeal plate (20% +); 4, metaphysis = control; 5, diaphysis (50% +). C Clinical effects and
evolution (standard treatments are considered controls). 1, Rickets, 30%; 2, osteochondritis,
50%; 3, aseptic osteonecrosis of short bones; 4, osteonecrosis of the hip, 40%; 5, myositis
ossificans, 30%; 6, osteomalacia, 30%

4. Osteonecrosis of the hip: good results are obtained in 40% of patients.

5. Myositis ossificans: good results are obtained in 30% of patients.
6. Osteomalacia: good results are obtained in 30% of patients (Fig. 4).

Acknowledgements. We are grateful to Dr. Jose Navarrina Martinez and Mr.

Jose Carlos Diz Gomez, medical student in the Department of Anatomy, for
his collaboration, enthusiasm, and technical assistance.

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