The insulin, glucose and cholesterol level and activity of lysosomal enzymes in the course of the model alloxan diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: The study was carried out on fifty male rabbits of the New Zealand White breed. Diabetes was caused by a single, intravenous alloxan injection. Rabbits which had glycaemia 7th day after the alloxan administration higher than 11 millimol/litre were selected for the studies. They were divided into 5 groups: I - control (without diabetes); II - 3-week diabetes; III - 6-week diabetes; IV - 3-month diabetes; V - 6-month diabetes. METHODS: In control and experimental rabbits the activity of beta-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, lysosomal acid phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, cathepsin D, and lysosomal arylesterase was determined in lysosomal fractions of the liver and kidney. RESULTS: Alloxan caused lowering of the activity of all the investigated enzymes in the kidney and liver except lysosomal arylesterase. CONCLUSION: Alloxan injection caused a significant increase in the activity of all the investigated enzymes. The advisable lysosomal enzymes may be useful for the monitoring of the course and effectiveness of diabetes therapy.

Effect of melatonin administration on activities of some lysosomal enzymes in the mouse.

OBJECTIVES: Changes in the activity of beta-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, cathepsin D and L, alanine aminopeptidase and lysosomal acid lipase in lysosomal fractions of the liver and kidneys of mice, which were administered 20 mg/kg b.w. of exogenous melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) for 7 and 14 days were investigated. METHODS: The slices of the liver and kidney were homogenized in 0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. Homogenates were subjected to differentiated centrifuging and determination of studied enzymes. RESULTS: Melatonin caused lowering of the activity of all the investigated lysosomal enzymes in the liver and kidney. CONCLUSION: Administration of melatonin was caused the lowering of the activity of the investigated lysosomal enzymes in comparison with values in control groups.