The Biochemistry of the Carotid Body

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Abstract
(1) An attempt has been made to apply routine ultramicrochemical methods to the problems of the biochemistry of the carotid body. Some of the problems encountered are mentioned. It may be necessary to use a micromanipulator to obtain samples which are predominantly glomus cells. (2) LDH, Asp AT and CA activities recorded were about 30% those found in human kidney tubules. MDH activity was about 50% of that found in kidney tubules-GDH and A1AT gave values of 15 and 6% respectively. These activities were recorded in pieces of lobule where the glomus cells were contaminated by connective tissue - the true activities of the cells may be up to twice these values. (3) Qualitative histochemical methods were used to check the presence of other enzymes, and differences in patterns of staining are described. (4) The presence of cytochrome oxidase in the glomus cells could not be demonstrated using a qualitative method. This observation is discussed together with some speculations on the basis of the extreme oxygen sensitivity of chemoreceptors.