On histochemical enzyme changes in association with canalicular activity of alkaline phosphatase in human liver

56 human liver biopsy specimens with insignificant or no histological changes, but with abnormally strong canalicular alkaline phosphatase activity, were studied histochemically for other enzyme changes. In comparison with normal specimens, more extensive and increased canalicular activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase, and increase of canalicular leucine aminopeptidase, was found, while the sinusoidal activity of the latter enzyme was decreased. Staining for adenosine triphosphatase regularly desclosed the normal pattern of sinusoidal and canalicular activity. The lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase, stained more intensely than ordinarily, while the reactions for enzymes present in the cytosol (lactic dehydrogenase), in the mitochondria (succinic dehydrogenase, imonoamine oxidase) and in the endoplasmic reticulum (glucose-6-phosphatase) were normal.