Enzyme Cytochemistry of the Energy Metabolism in the Cells of Normal Human Bone Marrow

Abstract

Using a gel film technique 11 key enzymes of the energy metabolism were histochemically demonstrated in the bone marrow cells of healthy persons or patients suffering from non-haematological disorders. The enzyme activity was assessed by a semiquantitative scoring method. A reduction of all enzymatic activities could be seen in the erythropoiesis during maturation. No histochemically visible change of enzymatic activity was observed with increasing differentiation of the granulopoiesis in the LDH, GAPDH, MDH, ME, GLUDH, GDH and HK. However, the enzymatic activity increased in the PGLUM and G6PDH whereas the SDH- and GPOX-activity diminished with the maturation of the granulopoiesis. It was concluded that the gel film technique may reveal increasing or diminishing alterations in the enzymatic pattern in diseases of the bone marrow.