Alkaline And Acid Phosphatase Activities In Post-Mortem Cochlear Fluids

Abstract

Average post-mortem serum activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase was 10, respectively 40 times higher than in normal human serum. In normal CSF there was only a trace of activity, whereas the activity for both enzymes amounted to about 1/10 of the serum values post-mortem. In postmortem perilymph and endolymph the activity figures were alike, both representing 1/3 to 1/2 of the post-mortem CSF activity. One isoenzyme band of alkaline phosphatase was found in all fluids with a mobility of α₂-globulins. Similarly, for acid phosphatase (at pH 6.2) there appeared one single band with a mobility of β₂-globulins. Most of the acid phosphatase activity was of the erythrocyte type. The results show quantitative similarity between CSF and cochlear fluids, and support the CSF-perilymph interchange via the cochlear aqueduct.