Release of lysosomal enzymes after partial hepatectomy: study of patients with and without cirrhosis of the liver

N. Nagasue, K. Inokuchi and R. Kanashima

Serum activities of lysosomal enzymes beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase were serially estimated in 14 patients with and without cirrhosis of the liver who underwent 40% to 80% hepatic resection. Substantial increases in enzyme activities were observed two to eight weeks after operation in ten of 11 patients who did not suffer from postoperative liver failure. Regeneration of the residual livers was almost satisfactory in all 11, as evidenced by clinical, roentgenologic, and histologic findings. In three patients with advanced cirrhosis who died of hepatic failure 21 to 39 days after extensive hepatic resection, there was neither the enzymatic reaction nor evidence of regeneration of the liver remnants. In the light of this study and our previous experimental studies, serial determination of the lysosomal enzyme activities in blood is probably a beneficial biochemical index for detection of progressive hepatic regeneration.