title: Serum lysosomal enzyme activities in silicosis and asbestosis.
abstract: The serum activities of two lysosomal enzymes, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) and beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) were analyzed for 28 silicosis and 34 asbestosis patients. The enzyme activities of the patients were compared with those of age-, sex- and exposure-matched controls with no radiological signs of pneumoconiosis, and with an additional reference group of blood donors. The serum activity of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase was higher in the silicosis patients (32.5 +/- 11.7 U/l) than in the asbestosis patients (21.7 +/- 7.9 U/l, p less than 0.001), in the silica exposed controls (27.1 +/- 6.7 U/l, p less than 0.05) or in the blood donors (24.8 +/- 6.3 U/l, p less than 0.05). No significant differences were found in the serum activity of beta-glucuronidase in the studied groups. Although the mechanisms causing different levels of serum beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in silicosis and asbestosis patients remain unresolved, they may be related to the different mechanisms of action of the two dusts on lung (10).
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000097:blood*; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012829:Silicosis / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D006596:Hexosaminidases; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase