Acid phosphatase activity of the brain in SHR-- the first report of enzyme histochemical studies of spontaneously hypertensive rat brain.

Changes in acid phosphatase activity in the cerebrovascular system and brain parenchyma in SHR were investigated histochemically. An increased activity of the enzyme was demonstrated in the SHR endothelial and medial smooth muscle cells of the cerebral arterial system as compared to the control. The pericytes of intraparenchymal blood vessels also showed an intensified enzyme activity. The enzyme activity increased with advancing age. In SHR brain parenchyma, the enzyme activity was decreased in the cortical nerve cells. Glial cells with the enzyme activity were increased in number and showed an intensified activity. Causative factors of changes in acid phosphatase activity in SHR cerebral arteries and parenchyma were discussed.