Biochemical studies on some lysosomal enzymes in spleen tissue homogenates of hepatosplenic bilharziasis

Thirteen Egyptian males [age 25-45 years] were studied: Six subjects with traumatic rupture of normal spleen and seven patients with clinical bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly, having no ascites but all of them had a history of hematemesis. Esophagoscopy was used to confirm esophageal varices. Decongestion operation was done for all cases. After removal of the spleen, small pieces of it are chilled in ice. Different parts of each spleen was used to prepare 2.4% w/v homogenates in distilled water for lysosomal enzymes [acid ribonuclease, beta-glucuronidase and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterases]. It was found that there is a statistically significant increase in the activities of splenic ribonuclease [25.8%], beta- glucuronidase [79%] and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterases [93%] when compared with the corresponding control values. This signify that S. mansoni hepatosplenomegaly affects the metabolism of nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis, the lipid down and release of carcinogenic metabolites in the free form from their glucuronides through its activating effect on those lysosomal enzymes. Also, schistosomal toxins secreted by the worms or present in its ovas may lead to this release of lysosomal enzymes. These significantly increased lysosomal enzymes may attack the chromosomes and lead to the production of structural and numerical aberrations

Possible lexicological hazards of some insecticides on kynurenine metabolism in mice

The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vivo effect of a single and repeated doses of some organophosphorous insecticides, Viz. Gusathione A, Dimethoate and cyolaneond some pyrethroid insecticides, Viz permethvin and AC, 227-705 commonly used in Egypt, on the liver and kidney tryptophan metabolizing enzymes: Kynurenine hydrolase KH and kynurenine aminotransferase KATE. The present study indicated that the tested insecticides caused alterations in the kynurenine metabolism with marked difference observed in the response of liver and kidney enzymes. Since these insecticides either inhibit or activate the kynurenine metabolizing enzymes, therefore we expect that exposure to these insecticides might lead to the accumulation of some tryptophan metabolites which are suspected to act as carcinogens or cocarcinogens in the process of carcinogenes is occuring in these organs