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A quantitative histochemical study of 5′nucleotidase activity in rat liver after ischaemia
Author(s) -
Frederiks Wilma M.,
Marx Frans,
Myagkaya Galja L.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711540311
Subject(s) - 5' nucleotidase , perfusion , lactate dehydrogenase , in vivo , nucleotidase , ischemia , bone canaliculus , biology , chemistry , dehydrogenase , biochemistry , endocrinology , medicine , andrology , enzyme , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology
The lead salt method of Wachstein and Meisel 15 has been applied using incubation media containing polyvinyl alcohol for the localization and quantification of 5′‐nucleotidase (E.C. 3.1.3.5) activity in cryostat sections from rat liver after ischaemia in vitro and ischaemia in vivo followed by different periods of re‐perfusion. 5′‐Nucleotidase activity at the bile canaliculi, especially in the pericentral areas, had already decreased after 60 min of ischaemia in vitro , although the total activity as measured densitometrically was not changed. After 120–240 min of ischaemia, a significant decrease of the total 5′‐nucleotidase activity was found. At that stage, signs of irreversible cell damage were recognized. Short periods of re‐perfusion (1 h) after ischaemia in vivo induced a decreased bile canalicular 5′‐nucleotidase activity throughout the entire liver, but a restoration after longer periods of re‐perfusion was observed (5, 24, and 48 h). Necrotic areas recognized by a decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity after all periods of re‐perfusion showed decreased total 5′‐nucleotidase activities. A correlation was observed between the decrease in bile canalicular 5′‐nucleotidase activity and the disappearance of microvilli of the bile canaliculi. It is concluded that a decrease in the bile canalicular 5′‐nucleotidase activity can be used as a very sensitive marker for ischaemic liver cell damage. Assessment of the irreversibility of the cell injury has to be determined using additional parameters such as a decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity.