The protein constituents in parasympathetically evoked saliva from normal and short-term sympathectomized parotid glands were compared. There was a reduction in all proline-rich proteins (PRP) in the saliva following sympathectomy. The decrease was quantified for acidic PRP by high-performance ion-exchange chromatography, which showed an increase in the ratio of amylase to other proteins. These results suggest that sympathetic impulses influence the synthesis of PRP and amylase in opposite directions.
http://ep.physoc.org/content/73/1/139.abstract