Acid, neutral, and alkaline hydrolases in arthritic synovium

The levels of six lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase, beta-acetylglucosaminidase, cathepsin D, beta-galactosidase, arylsulfatase A, and beta-glucuronidase) and four neutral and alkaline hydrolases (esterase, inorganic phyrophosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and 5'-nucleotidase) were measured in osteoarthritic, rheumatoid and control synovia. All enzyme levels in diseased synovium except esterase values in osteoarthritis were significantly elevated compared with controls. The mean values of the group of acid hydrolases and the group of neutral and alkaline hydrolases in osteoarthritic synovia were 1.9- and 2.0-fold greater than those of control specimens. In rheumatoid synovia, the values were 4.2- and 4.5 fold greater than control for the same enzymes. Levels in rheumatoid synovia were significantly higher than those in osteoarthritic synovia with the exception of 5'-nucleotidase. Only a limited correlation between the extents of inflammation present in the synovia and the levels of a lysosomal marker enzyme (cathepsin D) was observed. These results demonstrate that whatever the mechanism, increased levels of acid hydrolases as well as certain neutral and alkaline hydrolases are present in osteoarthritic and rheumatoid synovia, and these enzymes are probably contained in the synovial lining cells.