Effect of cholera toxin on intestinal lysosomal enzymes in the suckling rat

ABSTRACT

Lysosomal function, namely lysosomal enzyme activities and lysosomal membrane integrities were investigated in suckling rats which received cholera toxin intragastrically and in shamoperated controls suing two typical Lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase and cathepsin D. It was found that the maximal specific activities of both the enzymes were decreased in the infected group when compared with the control suggesting a reduction in the ability of intracellular digestion by lysosome. On the other hand, the value of the ratio between maximal and basal activity (an expression of the degree of retention of enzyme by lysosome or lysosomal membrane stability ) of acid phosphatase was significantly increased suggesting lesser extent of leakage of the enzyme into cytoplasm when compared with the control. However, there was no difference in the lysosomal membrane stability when measured in terms of cathepsin D. This discrepancy between the two enzymes was explained by their latencies.