beta-Glucoronidase and the gastric epithelial cell. A study using organ culture.

In an attempt to determine the significance of increased beta-glucuronidase content of gastric juice of patients with gastric carcinoma, gastric mucosal cells were exposed, in organ culture technique, to a known gastric carcinogen and indices of carcinogenic activity were studied in the ambient fluid and in the mucosal cells. Isotopic methods were used to determine cell viability. Indices of carcinogenic activity in the ambient fluid were beta-glucuronidase and lactate production and changes in the LDH isoenzyme pattern of the homogenates of the exposed cells were also studied. Incubation with the carcinogen resulted in increased production of beta-glucuronidase and lactate, suggesting the increased beta-glucuronidase activity in the gastric juice of patients with gastric cancer indicates malignancy.