Studies on the activity of selected lysosomal exoglycosidases in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The activity of selected lysosomal hydrolases ( (beta-galactosidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-xylosidase, alpha-mannosidase, alpha-fucosidase) was determined in the blood serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). An increased activity of all the enzymes studied was found as compared to control subjects. Presumable mechanisms of the observed changes are discussed. It is suggested that the studied enzymes may be responsible for the desintegration of the connective tissue ground substance in SLE.