A HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF DPN-DIAPHORASE IN HUMAN WHITE MATTER WITH SOME NOTES ON MYELINATION

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65258/1/j.1471-4159.1961.tb13522.x.pd

A QUANTITATIVE MAPPING OF ACID PHOSPHATASE IN THE BRAIN OF THE RHESUS MONKEY

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66448/1/j.1471-4159.1965.tb04244.x.pd

LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE ISOENZYMES IN TRANSECTED NERVES *

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66262/1/j.1471-4159.1964.tb07503.x.pd

The relation of the formation of lipofuscin to the distribution of oxidative enzymes in the human brain

The extent of deposition of lipofuscin in 66 nuclei of the aged human brain was classified systematically and the data were compared with the distribution of certain oxidative enzymes (succinic dehydrogenase, DPN-diaphorase). Nerve cells characterized by strong activity of oxidative enzymes in their perikarya contained more lipofuscin in aged brains than nerve cells characterized by little enzyme activity. The normal gradations of enzymatic (and probably metabolic) activity among cells thus predetermined—to a certain extent—the later deposition of lipofuscin. The lipofuscin in the neuropil (dendrite branchings) did not show the clear-cut relation to enzyme activity which characterized the perikarya; there was some indication of removal of lipofuscin from neuropil. A correlation between functional activity, oxidative enzymatic activity and deposition of lipofuscin was suggested by the findings in two cases in which, following the removal of one eye, alternate layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus showed a marked decrease of DPN-diaphorase activity and decreased presence of lipofuscin. The presence of “wear and tear” pigment, therefore, appeared related to the functional “wear and tear” of a given region which is reflected by the intensity of oxidative metabolism. Cytological studies, on the other hand, did not imply a more specific association of lipofuscin with oxidative enzyme activity. Das Ausmaß der Lipofuscinablagerung in 66 Kernen des gealterten menschlichen Gehirns wurde systematisch klassifiziert und die Ergebnisse wurden mit der Verteilung gewisser oxydativer Enzyme (Succinodehydrogenase, DPN-diaphorase) verglichen. Nervenzellen mit starker Aktivität der oxydativen Enzyme in den Perikarya wiesen mit zunehmendem Alter größere Lipofuscinansammlungen auf als Nervenzellen mit geringer Aktivität in den Perikarya. Daraus ist zu sehen, daß die Menge der späteren Lipofuscinablagerungen in gewissem Maße durch die normalen Unterschiede zwischen der enzymatischen (und vielleicht metabolischen) Tätigkeit der einzelnen Zellen bestimmt wird. Das im Neuropil (in den Dendritenverzweigungen) gebildete Lipofuscin scheint aus dem Gewebe abtransportiert zu werden; es zeigt daher nicht das deutlich sichtbare Verhältnis zur Enzymaktivität, wie es für die Perikarya charakteristisch ist.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47222/1/401_2004_Article_BF00685170.pd

Correlations between the electroencephalogram and cortical histochemical changes in experimental brain lesions

The relationship of EEG findings, histochemical data on glycogen, and oxidative enzymes (DPN-diaphorase) were studied in experimental cortical lesions in the guinea pig. There was a correlation between more than 50 per cent decrease of oxidative enzyme reaction in cortical tissues, the deposition of glycogen in the tissue, and the appearance of slow-wave activity in the EEG. Slow-wave activity was related to the presence of tissue showing almost normal cell population but markedly decreased enzyme reaction; decrease of enzyme activity in necrotic cortical tissue was without significance for the appearance of slow waves. The significance of these data for the interpretation of a delta focus in the human EEG was discussed, based on histochemical and EEG data from forty-four neurosurgical human biopsies.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32323/1/0000393.pd

An enzyme histochemical study of cerebral arteriosclerosis

The distribution of two oxidative enzymes (DPN-diaphorase and succinic dehydrogenase), two hydrolytic enzymes (acid and alkaline phosphatase) and data on mitochondria were described as to their relationship to the histopathology of cerebral arteriosclerosis. Incomplete necrosis of gray matter was characterized by a patchy, irregular decrease of oxidative enzyme activity in the neuropil. Complete necrosis (infarcts) showed a loss of enzyme activity in the tissue except the walls of capillaries which still showed activity of oxidative enzymes and also alkaline phosphatase. Hypertrophic astrocytes in the adjacent tissue were characterized by excessive increase of oxidative enzyme activity. Microglia showed little oxidative enzyme activity but strong activity of acid phosphatase. Fatty degeneration of cells was consistently accompanied by decreased oxidative enzyme activity; there was no such inverse relationship for acid phosphatase. Study of capillarization, normal histochemistry, and of pathological changes of the periarterial tissue suggested that the wall of thick arteries normally provided sufficient nutrition of the periarterial tissue. Impairment of this function in arteriosclerosis was considered responsible for the formation of periarterial scars in arteriosclerosis. Die Verteilung zweier oxydativer Enzyme (DPN-Diaphorase und Succino-Dehydrogenase), zweier hydrolytischer Enzyme (saure und alkalische Phosphatase) und Befunde über Mitochondrien werden in ihrem Verhältnis zur Histopathologie der cerebralen Arteriosklerose beschrieben. Unvollständige Nekrosen der grauen Substanz waren gekennzeichnet durch stellenweise auftretende, unregelmäßige Verminderung der Aktivität oxydativer Enzyme im Neuropil. Vollständige Nekrosen (Infarkte) wiesen einen Verlust der Enzymaktivität im Gewebe auf, mit Ausnahme der Capillarwände, in denen noch Aktivität der oxydativen Enzyme und auch der alkalischen Phosphatase vorhanden war. Hypertrophische Astrocyten im angrenzenden Gewebe waren charakterisiert durch übermäßige Erhöhung der Aktivität der oxydativen Enzyme. Die Mikroglia zeigte nur geringe Aktivität der oxydativen Enzyme, jedoch starke Aktivität der sauern Phosphatase. Gleichzeitig mit der Zellverfettung kam es immer zu einer Aktivitätsverminderung der oxydativen Enzyme; für die saure Phosphatase konnte kein derartiges reziprokes Verhältnis nachgewiesen werden.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47221/1/401_2004_Article_BF00685744.pd

A comparative study of cytoarchitectonics and chemoarchitectonics of the cerebral cortex of the guinea pig

The histochemical distribution of succinic dehydrogenase in the guinea pig's cerebral cortex is compared with the cytoarchitectonics in restained sections. The cytoarchitectonic subdivision of the cortex is paralleled by gradations of enzymic activity which can be substantiated by densitometric measurements. The typical histochemical patterns of several representative regions are described. The histochemical pattern of succinic dehydrogenase may be regarded as a parameter of the general oxidative metabolic rate of a region.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47694/1/441_2004_Article_BF00339761.pd

Electrophoretic production of “reactive” axon swellings in vitro and their histochemical properties

Application of a longitudinal current to fresh unfixed nerves produced, in 2 hrs, various types of axon swellings which were indistinguishable from reactive axon swellings in pathological material. Production of these swellings depended on an adequate time of exposure, an adequate current, and a local injury to the fiber. In electrophoretically produced axon swellings, many oxidative enzymes accumulated such as: DPN-diaphorase, TPN-diaphorase, cytochrome oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, isocitric dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and alcohol dehydrogenase. Alkaline and acid phosphatase did not accumulate in axonal swellings. There was also an accumulation of mitochondria, lipids (probably in mitochondrial membranes), proteins, carbohydrates, and ribonucleic acid. This array of substances was identical with that found in reactive axonal swellings produced both experimentally and pathologically in vivo. Axoplasm in reactive axon swellings that were produced in vivo showed the same electrophoretic convection as axoplasm of normal fibers. Accumulation of substances in an axon swelling can result from a confined local shift of axoplasm; it does not inherently indicate a changed rate of production by the nerve cell. Physiological currents in the tissue may well be responsible for the development of “reactive” axon swellings, as well as for the normal convection of axoplasm. Die Anwendung von Längsdurchströmung auf frische, unfixierte Nerven erzeugt nach 2 Std verschiedene Arten von Axonschwellungen, welche von reaktiven Axonschwellungen in pathologischem Material nicht unterscheidbar sind. Die Erzeugung dieser Schwellungen hängt von der adäquaten Zeit des Stromdurchflusses, von adäquaten Stromkonstanten und von der lokalen Schädigung der Faser ab.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47223/1/401_2004_Article_BF00684397.pd

Early enzyme histochemical changes following transection of dorsal spinal funiculi

Histochemical studies of early changes of lactic dehydrogenase activity were done in transected fasc. gracilis and cuneatus of cats, to elucidate the significance of the proximo-distal increase in this enzyme normally found in the terminal portions of these tracts. A rapid and uniform loss of activity in the distal portion of transected tracts favors the concept that the gradient of enzyme activity in normal tracts results from a flow of axoplasm in the fasc. gracilis at a rate exceeding that of its catabolism, rather than an ability of the terminal portion of the axon to synthetize enzyme. Swellings and enzymatic changes in the stump of the transected axonal fibers suggest an early phase of redistribution of axoplasm in axonal stumps that occurs in both stumps, with a continued damming of axoplasm that occurs only in the proximal stumps. Transection of the sciatic nerve does not affect enzyme activity in the dorsal funiculi.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32006/1/0000048.pd