Myocardial infarction and
TTC (=Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride) assay .
TTC is used to differentiate between metabolically active and inactive tissues.
The white compound is enzymatically reduced to red TPF (1,3,5-triphenylformazan) in living tissues due to the activity of various dehydrogenases (enzymes important in oxidation of organic compounds and thus cellular metabolism).
It will be white TTC in areas of necrosis since these enzymes have been either denatured or degraded.
TTC is used for autopsy pathology to assist post-mortem identification of myocardial infarctions.
Interpretation
A) Healthy viable heart muscle will stain deep red from the cardiac lactate dehydrogenase.
B ) Areas of infarctions/necrosis will be pale.