ABSTRACT
Reduction of sulfated glycosaminoglycans [GAG] in the liver and kidney of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats has been attributed to lowered synthesis and perhaps higher degradation of such compounds in these organs. To measure hepatic lysosomal arylsulfatases A and B, [the enzymes responsible for the removal of sulfate groups from GAG], in starved and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozocin injection [40 mg per kg body weight] through the caudal vein in rats. After two weeks, the livers were removed and homogenized. Activities of arylsulfatases A and B were measured and compared with those of the liver homogenates from healthy and starved rats. The activity of liver arylsulfatase A in starved diabetic rats increased 2.15 fold as compared with normal starved animals, while that of fed diabetic rats was 3.16 fold higher than their respective control group. Increases of 1.70 and 1.94 fold in specific activities of arylsulfatase B was noticeable in the livers of diabetic animals under fed and starved conditions, respectively. It appears that increased hydrolysis of sulfated GAG by liver lysosomal arylsulfatases A and B in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats may be among the contributing factors in the reduction of such sulfated compounds in this tissue