An Enzyme Histochemical Study of the Blood Vessels in Angiomatous Naevi (strawberry Marks)

Abstract

The enzyme histochemical pattern of vascular elements comprising the common strawberry mark was studied, with respect to the presence of alkaline phosphates, ATPase and 5' nucleotides as indices of functional activity of the vessels concerned. Alkaline phosphates activity was confined to the endothelium of the vaso vasorum of the large arterial vessels and to a few of the small vessels in the stroma of the lesion. The remainder of the endothelial elements which make up the major portion of the lesion showed -no alkaline phosphates activity. 5' nucleotides activity was found in the media and intima of the large vessel, with intense activity in the vessels supplying muscle bundles near to but not forming part of the lesion. No enzyme activity was present in the vessels forming the major portion of the haemangioma. Strong ATPase activity was exhibited by the media and the intima of the vessels including those making up the lesion. These findings suggest that the vessels making up the major part of the common strawberry mark are structurally and functionally immature and merely serve as passive channels through which the blood flows without metabolic interchange.