Histochemical studies of some myocardial oxido-reductive enzymes after experimental beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol

Summary Histochemical studies of some myocardial oxido-reductive enzymes after a beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol have been carried out. Succinate, isocitrate and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases did not indicate any changes in activity, whereas the changes in reaction intensities concerning NADH and NADPH tetrazole reductases and glutamate dehydrogenase have rather a transitory and reversible character. Only lactate dehydrogenase showed an increase in the enzymatic activity which speaks for an increase in the glycolysis process in the heart muscle. In the light of our own presented research results we assume that the experimental beta-adrenergic blockade of the heart muscle in rats does not evoke more important enzymatic changes which are noticeable in histochemical microscope examination.