Inhibition by zinc of hepatic lysosomal release of beta-glucuronidase induced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA).

The tumor promoter, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), elicited a significant increase in lysosomal membrane permeability, as measured by release of free beta-glucurnidase, in guinea pig and hamster isolated hepatic lysosomes in vitro. This response was antagonized by zinc sulfate; zinc compounds having previously been shown to inhibit tumor growth at multiple sites in several species. Since phorbol ester tumor promotion is likely associated in part with actions on cellular membrane systems, its inhibition by zinc may relate to the membrane stabilizing activity of zinc compounds.