[Cytochemical studies of peripheral white blood cells in Wilson's disease]

Using cytochemical methods the authors studied the activity of certain lysosomal enzymes and cytochrome oxidase in peripheral blood leucoytes in 22 patients with Wilson's disease. The control group comprised 50 healthy blood donors. It was found that the activity of acid phosphatase in the lymphocytes of patients was higher than in controls, the mean indices being respectively 90.50 +/- 8.95 and 60.38 +/- 3.95. The activity of beta-glucuronidase was found to be lower in the lymphocytes of patients, the mean value was 25.10 +/- 8.59 in patients and 64.91 +/- 5.78 in controls. The activity of cytochrome oxidase was lower in the granulocytes of patients with Wilson's disease than in controls, the mean values being 54.5 +/- 12.14 and 156 +/- 15.41 respectively. The activity of acid phosphatase in granulocytes as well as that of non-specific esterase in lymphocytes was similar in both groups. Decreased antigen degradation in Wilson's disease may be due not only to liver cirrhosis but also to disturbances in the metabolism of white blood cells, including, among others, decreased activity of cytochrome oxidase. The rise of the activity of acid phosphatase and reduced activity of beta-glucuronidase indicate chronic antigenic stimulation of lymphoid system.