Lysosomal Enzyme Activity During Development of Carbon
Tetrachloride Induced Cirrhosis in Rats
Premila
Abraham
Department of Biochemistry,
Christian Medical College,
Vellore
– 632 002
( Received on July 28, 2003 )
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Abstract : The present study was undertaken to determine
whether there is any alteration in the activities of lysosomal
enzymes in the liver and sera of rats during the course of carbon
tetrachloride (CCl4) induced cirrhosis in rats. Cirrhosis was
induced by the chronic administration of carbon tetrachloride plus
phenobarbitone. N-acetyl glucosaminidase, b-glucuronidase and acid
phosphatase were assayed spectrophotometrically in the liver
homogenates and in the sera at different stages of liver injury
i.e., necrosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Significant increase in
the "basal" activities of N acetyl glucosaminidase, b-glucuronidase,
and acid phosphatase were observed in the livers of rats during
the course of development of cirrhosis. As the liver injury
progressed from necrosis to cirrhosis, the ‘free’ activities of
these three enzymes also increased. The ‘total’ activities of the
enzymes studied were either decreased or remained unaltered. The
increased ‘free’ activities of the lysosomal enzymes in the liver
of CCl4 treated rats may contribute to cellular autophagy and
tissue catabolism, which may subsequently lead to cirrhosis.
Key words : carbon
tetrachloride
N-acetyl glucosaminidase
b-glucuronidase
acid phosphatase
