Clinical and experimental histochemical studies on the activities of liver lysosomal enzymes and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP)
Sato, R.
Hokkaido Journal of Medical Science 53(4): 287-303
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0367-6102 PMID: 32125 Document Number: 137382
The effects of acute and chronic administration of D-galactosamine (GalN), ethanol and phenobarbital were investigated on the activities of lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase, .beta.-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-.beta.-glucosaminidase, .gamma.-GTP and ATPase. The histochemical distribution of .gamma.-GTP in the liver was studied on biopsy specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis, and .gamma.-GTP levels in the serum of patients receiving drugs which induce hepatic microsomal enzymes. After a single i.p. injection of GalN, the lysosomal enzyme activities were lowered in the necrotic areas, but raised in the perinecrotic areas, the proliferative Kupffer cells and intra- and/or extracellular eosine bodies. .gamma.-GTP activities in rat liver after chronic GalN administration were markedly increased in bile canalicular membrane of periportal parenchymal cells, the epithelium of bile duct and ductules, and some inflammatory cells of portal fields. Levels of serum .gamma.-GTP were also elevated. On histochemical studies with biopsy specimens from patients with chronic active hepatitis showing elevated .gamma.-GTP activity, the activity was revealed a similar localization to GalN-treated rats. The increased activities might be reflected on the active stage in chronic hepatitis. Chronic ethanol treatment in rats induced clearly stained lysosomes varied in size, especially large-sized. The activities of hepatic .gamma.-GTP were slightly increased in the bile canalicular membrane of periportal parenchymal cells and the epithelium of proliferative bile ductules. Hepatic .gamma.-GTP activity was increased after phenobarbital administration in rats. A significant rise in serum .gamma.-GTP was observed in patients on long-term treatment with anti-epileptic drugs. The increased activities of serum .gamma.-GTP might be accompanied with induction of hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes.