Effect of Disease States on the Ribonuclease Concentration of Body Fluids

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Abstract
A method for determining ribonuclease activity in amounts as low as 0.001 µg. in various body fluids is described. In a number of pathologic conditions the level of RNase in the serum was found to be elevated; only rarely did a low value occur. The most significant change was found in patients with cirrhosis and leukemia, 60-70 per cent having high levels in contrast with 30 per cent of patients with carcinoma and Hodgkin's disease. It was found that human urine usually contains larger amounts of RNase than blood serum, and that it may he a good source of the purified enzyme.