Determination of Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Nor and Denervated Sympathetic Ganglia of the Cat. A Biochemical and Histochemical Comparison

Abstract AcChE was determined in normal and preganglionically denervated sympathetic ganglia with a titrigraphic method. The superior cervical, stellate, 7th lumbar and 1st sacral ganglia showed higher AcChE activities than the remaining paravertebral ganglia. Especially low AcChE values were obtained in the prevertebral ganglia. In denervation experiments a considerable decrease in AcChE activity was noted. The remaining activity was proportional to the number of histochemically heavily stained cell bodies in the ganglia investigated. Whereas ganglia containing many such cells retained 50% of their total AcChE activity after denervation (L7 and S1), the corresponding figure for ganglia almost lacking them was about 20% (superior cervical ganglion). Thus, some cells in the sympathetic system, showing intense histochemical staining possess significantly higher AcChE activities than the remaining ones as determined biochemically. These cells have been linked to a peripheral cholinergic function. Small traces of AcChE are found in adrenergic as well as sensory ganglion cells. The data presented fit in with the classical concept about the sympathetic system being composed of predominantly adrenergic cells with a few cholinergic ones concentrated in special relay stations.