ULTRACYTOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF ACID PHOSPHATASE AND THIAMINE PYROPHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THE NERVE CELLS OF VITAMIN E-DEFICIENT RATS

Abstract

Young male Wistar-King rats (about 100-120 g) were kept on a vitamin E-deficient diet for 4, 6, 9 and 13 wk. Changes in acid phosphatase (ACPase) and thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) activities were investigated at the ultrastructural level in the neurons of the cerebrum and spinal cord of these animals. A parallel observation on the controls was also made under identical conditions and results compared. After 4-13 wk of deficiency, ACPase activity in the Golgi apparatus increased, but the normal distribution of TPPase activity, as seen in the controls and after 4 wk of deficiency, decreased at 6, 9 and 13 wk. During a 4-9 wk period of deficiency, there was no marked change in lysosomal morphology and ACPase. At 13 wk lysosomes increased in size and number, with a significant decrease in ACPase activity. An increase in ACPase activity in the Golgi apparatus may be related to its increased secretory activity; a decrease in TPPase may indicate its decreased carbohydrate metabolism. The decrease of ACPase activity in enlarged lysosomes of 13 wk deficiency may be due to the following reasons: the enzyme is consumed in the process of changes in lipid components and/or the release of enzyme in the cytoplasm because of damaged lysosomal membranes. The increase in lysosomal size may be due to polymerization of oxidized lipids.