Atherosusceptible white carneau pigeon aorta: histochemistry and histoenzymology
Peyri, N.; Hadjiisky, P.
Cellular and Molecular Biology 34(1): 65-78
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-5680 PMID: 3365721 Document Number: 317759
Numerous enzyme activities and metabolic components were histochemically examined in pigeon aortic wall at different levels to evaluate its metabolic profile. The latter exhibited four features similar to those of other atherosensitive species: the weak activity of energy metabolism-related enzymes, the moderate ATP enzyme hydrolysis; the weak lysosomal and lipolytic activities, the great glycosmainoglycan content. The local enzyme histochemical differences indicate the existence of both cranio-caudal and circumferencial metabolic gradients. Three types of histochemically distinct cells were seen in the media : myocytes, interlamellar cells and monoamine oxidase-positive cells. The myocytes of the coeliac orifice ("predilected lesion area") do not show any histochemical sign which can explain their future atherosclerotic state.