Increased plasma activities of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase isoenzymes in human diabetes mellitus.

Plasma N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activities are raised in maturity-onset insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Continuous gradient DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and assay of heat-stable enzyme activity both show that the activities of all isoenzymes are equally increased rather than a previously described increase of specific isoenzymes. Plasma enzyme activities are similarly increased in patients with and without diabetic retinopathy, and correlate with simultaneous plasma glucose concentrations.