Proteolisis status in the oral mucosa of rats after “mild” stress

Abstract

Aim. To investigate the effect of “mild” stress on the state of proteolysis in the oral mucosa (OM). Methods. Rats were subjected to “mild” stress by holding them at −20 °C for 5 minutes. In the OM, in blood serum, liver, kidneys and pancreas, proteolysis activity was determined by the rate of hydrolysis of two substrates: casein and BAEE (benzoyl-arginine ethyl ether). Results. It has been established that OM has a high proteolytic activity, which begins to decrease already 5 hours after stress. In blood serum, on the contrary, the activity of proteolysis (substrate casein) increases after stress. The activity of BAEE-esterase does not change significantly after stress. Conclusion. The level of proteolysis in OM is several times higher than the corresponding indicator for blood serum and rat liver. "Mild" stress causes an increase in the level of proteolysis in the blood serum as early as 5 hours after stress, while the level of proteolysis in the OM after stress tends to decrease. Activation of proteolysis in the blood after stress requires antiprotease actions using protease inhibitors.