beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase isoenzymes by chromatofocusing from serum and skin in diabetes.

beta-N-Acetyl-D-glucosaminidase and its kinetic characteristics were determined in serum and skin from both diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance patients and controls. Mean total activity was reduced (p less than 0.05) in the skin of both patient groups. beta-N-Acetyl-D-glucosaminidase isoenzyme expression was investigated using chromatofocusing on PBE-94 coupled with automated enzyme assay. The isoenzyme profiles from serum showed two major forms (A and B) whose ratio varied from 2:1 in controls to 3:1 in diabetics. Moreover, diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance subjects displayed an intermediate (I) form. The A/B isoenzyme ratio was completely reversed in skin.