Correlation of plasma lysosomal enzyme levels with hepatic reticuloendothelial function after trauma

Plasma lysosomal enzyme levels and hepatic phagocytosis were determined following Noble-Collip drum trauma in the rat. Circulating cathepsin and acid phosphatase activity increased after sublethal trauma (300 rev), reaching maximal levels at 1-3 hr and returning to pretrauma levels at 24 hr after trauma. Hepatic phagocytosis was decreased maximally at 1 hr and recovered to control levels at 24 hr after sublethal trauma. Increasing trauma intensity (100-500 rev) resulted in a progressive failure in hepatic Kupffer cell phagocytosis and a progressive increase in plasma lysosomal enzyme levels when tested at 60-min post-trauma. A significant inverse correlation was found between the plasma lysosomal enzyme levels and Kupffer cell phagocytosis after trauma. The functional significance of the relationship between these two parameters and its importance in shock survival remain to be determined.