ACID PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN INDIVIDUAL NEURONS DURING CHROMATOLYSIS: A QUANTITATIVE HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

Two fluorogenic substrates, α-naphthyl phosphate and 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate, were used to measure acid phosphatase activities in individual anterior horn neurons of the monkey spinal cord after section of the sciatic nerve. Although many studies utilizing staining methods have reported a striking increase in acid phosphatase activity during chromatolysis, no significant differences were observed here between the neurons of the operated and unoperated side, despite widespread chromatolysis. β-galactosidase activity was also unchanged, but the marked elevation of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase during the reparative phase was confirmed.