Histochemical Demonstration of Endogenous Dehydrogenase Systems by Supravital Perfusion

Abstract

Endogenous dehydrogenase activity is demonstrated in fresh, intact organs by supravital perfusion with a tetrazolium solution. The animal is first injected intravenously with 1.5 mg Heparin/100 gm body weight. It is then anesthetized and a fine polyethylene cannula (PE50, Intramedic) is inserted into a major artery and secured with a ligature. An initial perfusion with warm (37°C) M/20 phosphate buffer (pH 7.6) to remove the blood from the tissues is followed by a 10 min perfusion with the same kind of buffer to which has been added 0.25% neotetrazolium chloride (Dajac Laboratories). The tetrazolium solution is delivered to the tissue at the rate of 1 ml/minute. A final perfusion with 10% formalin in warm phosphate buffer (pH 7.6) flushes and fixes the tissues. Frozen sections can then be cut and mounted in glycerol jelly. Fine, colored formazan crystals are deposited at the sites of enzyme activity. The method is simple and yields excellent histochemical preparations.