Immunohistochemical identification of superoxide dismutases, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferases in rat femora.

We used light microscopic immunohistochemistry to locate manganese superoxide dismutase, copper zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferases in demineralized femora from rats of 4-14 weeks of age. Immunoblots confirmed the specificity of the polyclonal antibodies for the rat proteins of interest. Each of the enzymes exhibited a unique staining pattern. Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase was detected within some articular and epiphyseal chondrocytes of younger animals. Manganese superoxide dismutase was detected within some articular and epiphyseal chondrocytes, within some osteoprogenitor cells and osteoblasts, within many osteoclasts, and within some vascular smooth muscle cells. Catalase was identified within articular chondrocytes, epiphyseal chondrocytes, and osteocytes, whereas staining at the periphery of hypertrophic chondrocytes suggested extracellular and/or cell membrane-associted catalase. Glutathione-S-transferases were detected within and at the periphery of epiphyseal and articular chondrocytes and less prominently within cortical osteocytes. There were no major age-related changes in antioxidant enzyme distribution.