Effect of cyanidanol-3 on lysosomal enzyme activity of serum and granulocytes in chronic liver disease and active hepatitis.

The authors examined the effect in vivo and in vitro of Catergen (cyanidanol-3) on demonstrable lysosomal enzyme activity in the serum and granulocytes in liver diseases. Acid phosphatase, cathepsin-D and beta-glucuronidase were investigated. In the in vitro studies the direct effect of Catergen was observed by enzyme release. In chronic active hepatitis without treatment the lysosomal activity of the serum increases, the lysosomal activity of the granulocytes decreases and in vitro release increases. Under the effects of Catergen treatment the lysosomal activity of the serum decreases in comparison with initial values, approaching the lysosomal enzyme activity observed in healthy persons. Under in vitro conditions, lysosomal enzyme release from the granulocytes decreases in treated individuals and thus a higher lysosomal enzyme activity in the granulocytes is observed. Granulocytes separated from the blood of healthy persons were incubated with Catergen in isotonic and hypotonic media. In an isotonic medium the release did not change significantly. Under the effect of hypotension the release of lysosomal enzyme increased considerably. In vitro incubation with small doses of Catergen significantly inhibited the degree of release. On the basis of these data it may be supposed that Catergen has a stabilizing effect on the lysosomal membrane and is thus beneficial in the treatment of liver injuries (alcoholic, toxic, inflammatory) with lysosomal membrane alterations.