THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL ACID MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES IN HUMAN AORTAS, CORONARY ARTERIES AND CEREBRAL ARTERIES. I. THE METHODS

Abstract

A histochemical technique is described for identifying the individual acid mucopolysaccharides in human aortas, coronary arteries and cerebral arteries. Identifications of the various acid mucopolysaccharides depends on treating serial sections with an extract from Flavobacterium heparinum adapted to chondroitin sulfate A, an extract from Flavobacterium adapted to heparitin sulfate, a combination of these two extracts, testicular hyaluronidase, and streptococcal hyaluronidase respectively. Following this treatment and subsequent staining with alcian blue, the identification of the individual acid mucopolysaccharides was made by comparing the treated with the untreated sections. The mechanism of these enzymes is discussed.