A method for the determination of sphingomyelinase activity.

A method is presented for the determination of the activity of sphingomyelinase. It is based on the determination of sphingomyelin before and after enzymatic conversion with the aid of a quantitative paper chromatographic analysis of phospholipids. This method is used for the determination of sphingomyelinase activity in various tissues such as those of the human brain and liver and fibroblast cultures. Normal values are presented.