NAD(P)H nitroblue tetrazolium reductase levels in apparently normoxic tissues: a histochemical study correlating enzyme activity with binding of radiolabelled misonidazole
1990

Study of Enzyme Activity in Mouse Tissues

Sample size: 5 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): L.M. Cobb, T. Hacker, J. Nolan

Primary Institution: MRC Radiobiology Unit, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK

Hypothesis

Can NAD(P)H nitroblue tetrazolium reductase activity in normoxic tissues explain the binding of misonidazole metabolites?

Conclusion

High levels of reductase activity in certain normoxic tissues contribute to the accumulation of bound reactive misonidazole metabolites.

Supporting Evidence

  • High NAD(P)H nitroblue tetrazolium reductase activity was observed in various normoxic tissues.
  • Significant amounts of bound misonidazole metabolites were found in tissues previously thought to be normoxic.
  • The study used a well-established histochemical method to identify enzyme activity.

Takeaway

This study found that some healthy tissues in mice can still bind a drug meant for cancer treatment, which was thought to only happen in low-oxygen areas.

Methodology

Five adult female CBA/H mice were used for histochemical staining to identify enzyme activity and compare it with autoradiographic studies of misonidazole binding.

Potential Biases

Potential for misinterpretation of enzyme activity due to the non-specific nature of the staining method.

Limitations

The study could not dissect out small groups of cells for biochemical analysis due to their size.

Participant Demographics

Five adult female CBA/H mice, approximately 14 weeks old.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

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