[A semiquantitative method of determining alkaline phosphatase activity in human arterial wall]

A new method of semi-quantification of the alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity in human vascular tissue is described. An index is derived from the number of alkaline positive cells and the different levels of intensity of the staining reaction. In the autopsy and surgical material of male and female subjects aged between 40 and 60 a, we evaluated the alkaline phosphatase enzyme reaction of normal and atherosclerotic arteries after various incubation intervals. Tissue samples were obtained from aorta, common carotid artery, renal artery, splenic and anterior tibial artery, and Sparks prosthetic graft.