Fresh frozen skeletal muscles of rats, rabbits, and humans were sectioned in a cryostat. Sections 12 to 32 micra thick were incubated in a substrate solution for the histochemical demonstration of non-specific alkaline phosphatase activity. A modified azo dye coupling technique was used at pH 9.5. Localized areas of high enzymatic activity were found in specific and well defined areas along the terminal arterial tree, in addition to the activity which has been previously described in capillary endothelium. Arterial branches with luminal diameters of 25 micra or less showed staining of their endothelium starting abruptly at their origin from the parent vessel and fading distally. Smaller arterial branches showed the same localization of enzymatic activity and stained more intensely. Other organs of rats surveyed showed arterial branches with the same pattern of staining. Identical results were obtained using the Gomori technique for alkaline phosphatase. Extensive saline perfusion of the vascular tree did not affect the observed localization of enzymatic activity. The enzymatic activity described may be part of the mechanism regulating the blood flow.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
1 October 1962
Article|
October 01 1962
LOCALIZED AREAS OF HIGH ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THE TERMINAL ARTERIAL TREE
Flaviu C. A. Romanul,
Flaviu C. A. Romanul
From the Neurological Unit, Boston City Hospital, and the Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for other works by this author on:
Roger G. Bannister
Roger G. Bannister
From the Neurological Unit, Boston City Hospital, and the Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for other works by this author on:
Flaviu C. A. Romanul
From the Neurological Unit, Boston City Hospital, and the Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Roger G. Bannister
From the Neurological Unit, Boston City Hospital, and the Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Received:
April 11 1962
Online ISSN: 1540-8140
Print ISSN: 0021-9525
Copyright, 1962, by The Rockefeller Institute Press
1962
J Cell Biol (1962) 15 (1): 73–84.
Article history
Received:
April 11 1962
Citation
Flaviu C. A. Romanul, Roger G. Bannister; LOCALIZED AREAS OF HIGH ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THE TERMINAL ARTERIAL TREE . J Cell Biol 1 October 1962; 15 (1): 73–84. doi: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.15.1.73
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionSuggested Content
Email alerts
Advertisement
Advertisement