Lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase. Release from regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy
N. Nagasue, K. Inokuchi, A. Iwaki, H. Yukaya and M. Kobayashi
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.