Simultaneous ultrastructural visualization of acetylcholinesterase activity and tritiated norepinephrine uptake in renal nerves.

In this investigation we have combined the methods of ultrastructural demonstration of acetylcholinesterase activity with electron microscopic autoradiography for the demonstration of norepinephrine uptake. The results show electron-dense deposits indicative of acetylcholinesterase activity associated with perivascular axons overlaid by concentrations of silver grains representing exogenous tritiated norepinephrine. Forty-five percent of the intervaricose regions and 19% of the varicosities overlaid by autoradiographic grains showed "moderate" amounts of cholinesterase staining. A greater proportion of autoradiographic grains was observed on the varicosities than in the intervaricose regions; however, the amount of acetylcholinesterase activity was greater in the intervaricose regions than in the varicosities. This investigation provides evidence for the presence of periaxonal acetylcholinesterase staining in adrenergic axons in the rat kidney.