Adsorption of polymorphonuclear leukocyte lysosomal enzymes to monosodium urate crystals.

Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals induced prompt release of lysozyme, and slower release of beta-glucuronidase, alpha-mannosidase, and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) from polymorphonuclear leukocytes. At increasing crystal concentrations, an increasing delay in the apparent onset of beta-glucuronidase release was detected which appears to be due to selective absorption of enzyme activities to the MSU crystals: beta-glucuronidase greater than LDH greater than alpha-mannosidase greater than lysozyme. Lysosomal enzyme adsorption by MSU crystals may then contribute to experimental error or may modulate gouty inflammation.