Glycohydrolases and lysosomal stability in adjuvant induced arthritis.

Adjuvant induced arthritis in rats was studied by the changes in serum and urinary protein-bound carbohydrate metabolites, changes in serum and tissue lysosomal glycohydrolases and lysosomal fragility. From the second week onwards the urinary excretion of hexosamine and uronic acid is increased. Serum levels of protein bound hexose, hexosamine, sialic acid and fucose are increased significantly in both the acute and chronic phases of the disease. There is no change in the total activity of lysosomal glycohydrolases, viz., beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase and cathepsin D in the tissues of liver, kidney and spleen except that of liver enzymes in the chronic phase which are elevated significantly. The free activities of lysosomal glycohydrolases investigated, viz., beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, alpha-mannosidase and cathepsin D are increased in liver and spleen in the acute phase. The free activities of beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase and cathepsin D of kidney showed no change whereas those of beta-galactosidase and alpha-mannosidase are increased. In the chronic phase of the disease the free activities of all glycohydrolases are significantly increased in all tissues. Serum glycohydrolases are significantly increased in both acute and chronic phases. Studies on lysosomal preparations showed increased fragility of lysosomes derived from liver and kidney of arthritic rats in both phases of the disease.