EFFECTS OF HEPARIN IN VIVO ON LYSOSOMAL ENZYMES IN RAT PLASMA

Abstract

Studies were carried out to determine the effects of heparin in vivo on acid ribonuclease, β-glucuronidase, acid β-glycerophosphatase, cathepsin, and several esterases in rat plasma. Increases occurred regularly in the specific activities of ribonuclease and β-glucuronidase, and inconsistently in that of acid β-glycerophosphatase. The activity of β-glucuronidase increased to a smaller extent in control animals. No change was observed in the activities of cathepsin or benzoylarginine ethyl esterase. Tributyrin esterase activity increased following the injection of heparin, the rise in total activity being due to an increase in the activities of both eserine-resistant and eserine-sensitive esterases in rat plasma. The results were discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of action of heparin and the significance of lysosomal enzymes in blood.