[Lysosomal leukocyte glycosidases in childhood bronchial asthma]

Activity of lysosomal glycosidases beta-galactosidase, N-acetyl-beta-D-galactosaminidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase was studied in lymphocytes and neutrophils of children with bronchial asthma. Alterations of the enzymatic activity were found to depend considerably on the disease stage, form, severity, duration and on the sensitization efficiency. Activity of these enzymes was markedly decreased after glucocorticoid treatment while clenbuterol did not affect their activity. The status of leukocyte lysosomal glycosidases appears to be of importance for development of bronchial asthma in children.