Cytochemical and Biochemical Studies of Aerobic Oxidative Metabolism of Human Gingiva

Abstract

A correlated cytochemical and biochemical study of aerobic oxidase activity of human gingiva was made. Indophenol blue synthesis by fresh frozen sections of tissue revealed that dye formation 1st occurred in crevicular epithelium basal cells followed by the basal cells of the attached gingiva and then the outermost epithelial cell layers. Parakeratin and keratin also were colored by indophenol blue, although it is not certain that such coloration represented an enzymatic synthesis. The Q02 of gingival slices was between 2.7-4.0. Some specimens were completely inactive. Preliminary experiments suggested that inhibitors of cell respiration may be present in gingival tissues.