Influence of Age and Method of Caging on Small Artery Enzyme Activities: Comparison with Effects of Deoxycortone Acetate and of Cholesterol

Abstract Microchemical analytical techniques were used to determine the activities of alkaline phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in freeze-dried sections from the small arteries of rat mesentery. The results of 3 studies are reported. Subcutaneous implantation of deoxycortone acetate or cholesterol caused a rise in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity; sham operation or implantation of inert, steel ball-bearings had a similar effect. Environmental changes such as individual caging and handling of the animals caused increased glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. A study of the variation of enzyme activities with age showed that alkaline phosphatase activity decreased and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity increased in older animals.