Lysosomal enzyme activity during development of carbon tetrachloride induced cirrhosis in rats.

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, P-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, beta-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.