RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of parasympathectomy on secretion of submandibular glands and the feasibility of treatment for xerostomia in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 200 - 300 g were randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 12), in which the right chorda-lingual nerve was cut, and the control group (n = 8). The secretion of submandibular gland was measured for 5 min by Schirmer test for both groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The stimulated saliva flow rate decreased on 1st, 12th and 24th week after denervation in the right operated submandibular glands (P < 0.05). No difference in secretion was found between the left non-operated glands and the control group. Comparing with the left non-operated gland and the control gland, the saliva flow rate at rest in the right operated submandibular gland increased on the 1st, 12th and 24th week (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>After parasympathectomy of rat submandibular glands, the saliva flow rate at rest increased in the denervated gland, which suggests that parasympathectomy of submandibular gland might be used as a therapy for xerostomia.</p>