ACUTE HEMORRHAGIC PANCREATIC NECROSIS IN MICE - ACTIVITY OF LYSOSOMAL-ENZYMES IN THE PANCREAS AND THE LIVER

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 98  (1) , 45-59
Abstract
The activity of lysosomal enzymes of the pancreas and the liver was studied during induction and onset of acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis with fat necrosis (AHPN) in mice. AHPN was induced by feeding the animals a choline-deficient (CD) diet containing 0.5% DL-ethionine (CDE). Control animals were fed either laboratory chow or a plain CD diet. Increased total activities pf cathepsin B1, .beta.-galactosidase and acid phosphatase occurred in pancreas homogenates of mice fed the CDE diet for 2 and 3 days. Release of cathespin B1 into pancreas cytosol was observed after 1 day of feeding. .beta.-Galactosidase and acid phosphatase were increased in pancreas cytosol after 2 and 3 days of feeding. Changes in total activity and location of the lysosomal enzymes did not occur in the liver. Feeding the CD and CDE diets resulted in an increase in the free activity of lysosomal enzymes of both the pancreas and the liver, suggesting the existence of alterations in the lysosomal membrane. Pancreas and liver homogenates were stored on ice up to 3 h and the free activity of acid phosphatase and .beta.-galactosidase were determined at various time intervals. The free activity of both enzymes increased progressively for 3 h in the pancreas but not in the liver. Induction of AHPN in mice is accompanied by an increase in the activity of lysosomal enzymes of the acinar cells of the pancreas. Cathepsin B1 may be responsible for triggering an intraparenchymal activation of zymogens. Pancreatic lysosomes are labilized more easily than liver lysosomes.