Histochemical study of enzyme patterns in the human submaxillary gland

Summary The histochemical distribution of various enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, esterase, -glycosidase, aminopeptidase, succinic dehydrogenese and TPN diaphorase, in human submaxillary glands has been determined.Acini and ducts of human submaxillary gland were devoid of alkaline phosphatase activity, but this enzyme was observed in capillaries and somewhat in myoepithelium.Activities of acid phosphatase, esterase, -glucuronidase and -galactosidase were generally observed in the entire cytoplasm of serous acini; but the cytoplasm of mucous acini was either negative or showed only trace amounts.Aminopeptidase reaction of both acini and ducts was generally negative.Succinic dehydrogenase and TPN diaphorase activities were strongly active in intralobuler ducts. Serous acini exhibited less activity with these enzymes; and mucous cells showed still less and were almost negative. In serous acini, there was much greater activity of TPN diaphorase than of succinic dehydrogenase.With 7 Figures in the Text