[The feigned release of cell enzymes. Distribution and transport of cell enzymes within the extracellular space. I (author's transl)].

A sudden increase of enzyme activities in plasma is not necessarily due to a release of enzymes from damaged cells. Three experimental models were used to demonstrate that acute alterations of enzyme activities, as much as +/- 15%, can be caused by fluid-shifts between the intra- and extravascular compartments. Venous occlusion of the forearm by tourniquet produces an increase of the intravascular hydrostatic pressure and subsequently results in a decrease of the plasma volume distal to the tourniquet. Because enzyme molecules are not freely diffusible across the capillary membrane the enzymatic activity increases proportionally to the decrease of plasma volume. Changes in the body posture are accompanied by changes in plasma volume and similarly by alterations in the concentration of plasma-proteins and by alterations in intravascular enzyme activities. Increased enzyme activities in plasma during strenuous physical effort are due chiefly to a concentration of macromolecules within the intravascular space because of a decrease in plasma volume and not to a release of enzymes from hypoxic muscle cells. During recovery after termination of the exercise there is a second and longer lasting increase in enzyme activities in plasma which could be related to a release of enzymes from injured cells. It is suggested that some of these changes could be due to an increase in lymph flow and thereby an increasing transport of enzymes from the interstitial to the intravascular compartment.