L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway and interaction with lead acetate on rat submandibular gland function.

The effects of lead acetate, L-arginine (nitric oxide precursor) and L-NAME (nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor) on rat submandibular secretory function were studied. Pure submandibular saliva was collected intraorally from anaesthetized rats by a micro polyethylene cannula using pilocarpine as secretagogue. Treatment for twenty-eight days with three doses of lead acetate (0.