Histochemical studies on the localization of oxidative and dephosphorylating enzymes and esterases in the peritoneal mesothelial cells

Summary Histochemical localization of various groups of oxidative and dephosphorylating enzymes and esterases has been made in the peritoneal mesothelial cells. These cells were strongly positive for lactic dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase, moderately positive for cytochrome oxidase, simple esterase, acid phosphatase, 5nucleotidase and nonspecific cholinesterase, and negative for monoamine oxidase and specific cholinesterase. They showed moderate positive activity for alkaline phosphatase, localized in the microvilli of these cells. They contain scanty amount of thiamine pyrophosphatase-positive Golgi complex and showed diffuse thiamine pyrophosphatase-positive activity in the cell cytoplasm. Adenosine triphosphatase-positive spaces found in between the adjacent cells and at the bases of the individual cells have been demonstrated. These results are discussed in view of the great absorptive power of the peritoneal mesothelium.