Biochemical and Histochemical Studies of Aerobic Oxidative Metabolism of Oral Tissues. IV. Additional Observations on Histochemical Oxidase Reactions in Gingiva

¹ Special Dental Research Laboratory, V. A. Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y., and the Murry and Leonie Guggenheim Institute for Dental Research, N.Y. University College of Dentistry, New, York, N.Y.

A comparison has been made of the G-Nadi and Burstone procedures for oxidase localization in gingiva of the human and dog.

Both methods indicate highest oxidase activity in the epithelial-attachment and crevicular areas.

N,N-dimethyl p-phenylenediamine used alone, without coupling agents, yields excellent vocalizations of oxidase activity. A green insoluble dye is produced in the tissues, which is described for the first time, and its absorption spectrum is given.

Extraction of gingival sections with distilled water or with petroleum ether prior to incubation in either the G-Nadi or Burstone procedure results in significant activations of color formation with these procedures.

The metabolism of different gingival-tissue components was discussed in relation to alterations in chemical components of gingiva during the inflammatory process.