Lysozyme Production in Response to Injury of Gastrointestinal Tract in Dogs

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Abstract
The marked rise in production of lysozyme by the canine gastro-intestinal tract injured by mecholyl stimulation or by electrocautery suggests that the observed increase in lysozyme in the feces and bowel of patients with chronic ulcerative colitis may be a result of the disease process. Lysozyme seems to be produced locally in injured bowel. The marked increase in lysozyme production occurring within 5.5 hrs. after cautery suggests that its increase is part of an early inflammatory process. Its precise biological significance remains to be detd. Lysozyme is produced in moderately large amts. by the gastro-intestinal tract of dogs subjected to chronic stimulation with mecholyl. The increase in lysozyme is demonstrable in the bloody diarrheal stools of intact animals and in material aspirated from isolated pouches of colon. Cautery of canine rectum stimulates the local production of large amts. of lysozyme within 5.5 hrs. after injury. The rapid production of lysozyme by injured bowel suggests that it is an early accompaniment of the inflammatory reaction and that its presence is a reflection rather than a cause of ulcerative alimentary disease.