ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Immunohistochemistry
;
Paraganglia
;
Aging
;
Catecholamines
;
Catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine-β-hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase were examined by immunohistochemistry in hypertrophied paraganglia of aged male Fischer-344 rats. All paraganglionic cells reacted with antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase. Dopamine β-hydroxylase was identified in most paraganglionic cells, indicating that they synthesized norepinephrine. A variable number of paraganglia were positive for phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, which suggested that they synthesized epinephrine. The formaldehyde-induced fluorescence method demonstrated greenish-yellow fluorescence or yellowish-brown fluorescence. The intensity of the fluorescence was in the same range as in adrenal medullary cells. The observations indicate that paraganglia are capable of synthesizing epinephrine.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00217291
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