Glycosidases in normal and dimethylhydrazine-treated rats and mice with special reference to the colonic tumours.

Activities of 12 glycosidases and of β-D-glucuronidase were measured in liver, kidney and in the gastrointestinal tract of rats and mice. The activities of different enzymes varied not only within one tissue but also among different tissues. In rats injected with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, a many fold increase in N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, N-acetyl-β-D-galactosaminidase, β-D-galactosidase and α-L-fucosidase was found in colonic tumours and colonic mucosa. These enzymes were elevated significantly in the kidney of tumour bearing animals as well. Liver and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract showed an increase only in N-acetyl-hexosaminidase with the appearance of colonic tumours. In treated mice, 2 N-acetylhexosaminidases were elevated in colon, duodenum, liver and kidney. However, in liver and kidney, β-D-galactosidase was also significantly increased.