Histochemical Demonstration of Glycogen Synthesis in vitro

Abstract

Histochemical demonstration of glycogen synthesis was attempted. In these experiments, tissue blocks were incubated in a substrate solution. Fresh tissues were removed from starved rats. These tissues contained almost no stainable substances by Best's Carmine solution but after incubation the tissues of the same individuals showed many substances. Best's Carmine will stain only polysaccharides of high molecular weight but not those of lower molecular weight. On the other hand, periodic acid Schiff method reacts with polysaccharide of both high and low molecular weights. We proved the synthesis of polysaccharide of high molecular weight from fructose menophosphate.