Microwave techniques in conjunction with other fixation methods can be used in pathology and neuroanatomy for improved staining and histochemical investigations. This study compares several biochemical and histochemical assays concerning the investigation of a broad range of enzymes in microwaved rat brains.
The studied enzymes were: alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholinesterase, 5'-nucleotidase, catalase, cytochrome oxidase, isocitrat-, malat-, lactat- , and succinate dehydrogenase. Brain microwave exposure occured after perfusing the rats and removing the brains. After microwave treatment the brains were homogenized or microtome sectioned for biochemical or histochemical investigation respectively.
Two different perfusion fluids were used followed by microwave exposure: physiological saline and 10% formalin. Non-pretreated material poses as control.
Biochemical outcome: all enzyme activity was lost after formalin-microwave treatment. After saline-microwave treatment the activity of acetylcholinesterase was increased. The activities of malat- and lactat dehydrogenase were not altered while activites of alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, succinat- and isocitrat dehydrogenase were reduced. The assays for the remaining enzymes were not performed.
Histochemical outcome: Analogous results were seen in the histochemical assays. The staining capabilities of alkaline phosphatase, lactat- and malat-dehydrogenase were reduced whereas acid phosphatase showed a moderate staining. The staining capabilities of all other enzymes were strong.
The saline-microwave technique allows a good histochemical as well as a good biochemical investigation of animal tissue.
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