PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES AND ANTI-ENZYMES OF NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL CEREBRO-SPINAL FLUIDS

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Neurology
• Immunology

Background:

• Spinal fluid's enzymatic profile differs significantly from blood serum.
• Normal spinal fluid is devoid of proteolytic enzymes and anti-enzymes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and activity of proteolytic enzymes and anti-enzymes in spinal fluid under various physiological and pathological conditions.
• To understand the role of these enzymatic activities in meningeal infections and other serous cavity effusions.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of spinal fluid and blood serum enzymology.
• Testing of spinal fluid samples from patients with various conditions, including bacterial meningitis (Diplococcus lanceolatus, Streptococcus mucosus, epidemic meningitis), tuberculous meningitis, and non-inflammatory transudates.
• Assessment of anti-enzymotic activity following subdural injection of anti-meningitis serum.

Main Results:

• Normal spinal fluid lacks both enzyme and anti-enzyme, while blood serum contains both, with anti-enzyme predominating.
• Inflammatory conditions in other serous cavities typically show anti-enzyme activity that restrains enzyme activity.
• Meningeal infections with Diplococcus lanceolatus and Streptococcus mucosus often exhibit significant free proteolytic enzyme.
• Epidemic meningitis shows a rapid decrease in anti-enzyme activity, potentially contributing to disease severity.
• Chronic conditions like tuberculous meningitis display intermediate anti-enzymotic activity.
• Non-inflammatory transudates show accumulation of inhibitory elements, suggesting impaired elimination.

Conclusions:

• The absence and rapid disappearance of anti-enzyme in spinal fluid during acute meningeal infections may contribute to disease severity.
• Enzyme and anti-enzyme levels in spinal fluid are influenced by the rate of fluid entry and elimination.
• Subdural administration of anti-meningitis serum does not lead to sustained increase in spinal fluid anti-enzyme activity due to rapid elimination.