Acid Phosphatase Activity in Normal Human Blood and Bone Marrow Cells as Demonstrated by the Azo Dye Method

Abstract

Acid phosphatase activity was demonstrated in all nucleated cells of human blood and bone marrow, using an azo dye technique. The activity was greater in granulocytes than in lymphocytes. In the bone marrow, young cells show greater enzyme activity than mature cells except for megakaryocytes where the reverse is true. The results obtained differ from those reported by others, presumably because of the greater sensitivity of the method employed. In addition, blood smears of rats and mice were examined.