Abstract
Plasma levels of the lysosomal enzymes, ß-hexosaminidase and ß-glucuronidase,were analyzed in rats with carbon tetrachloride induced liver cirrhosis. Out of 22 animals, 15 showed cirrhotic and 4 precirrhotic livers. 4 cirrhotic animals exhibited cholestatic features with increased bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT)in plasma. The remaining 15 precirrhotic and cirrhotic rats showed clear significant changes only in ASAT levels. These 15 rats showed no consistent increase in plasma, spleen or liver lysosomal enzyme activities, whereas the 4 rats with cholestatic features exhibited considerable increases of lysosomal enzymes. The increased activities might be attributed to decreased biliary excretion and/or increased production of lysosomal enzymes by activated macrophages.