Lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase. Release from regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy.

In 12 dogs, 70% hepatectomy was performed to investigate the changes in serum lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase activities, and to compare them with other liver functions and with the restoration of liver mass. Three dogs died within 24 hours without recovering consciousness from anesthesia, and one died on the fourth postoperative day because of hepatic insufficiency. The other eight dogs were killed at various postoperative times up to eight weeks. Regeneration of the remaining liver occurred rapidly after operation. The peak elevation of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity was found on the first postoperative day, with a steady return to normal within two or three weeks. To the contrary, the serum activity of beta-glucuronidase decreased during the first three days, but increased substantially between the seventh and 14th postoperative day, when regeneration was considered to be maximum. The results seem to indicate that serial determinations of lysosomal enzyme activities in the blood can be a beneficial biochemical index for detection of progressing liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy.