Aging and lymphocyte lysosomes in man

It has been stated in 120 healthy subjects of varying age that last three decades of human life that is between 60 and 90 year of life, the dramatic decrease in numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes having intact lysosomes containing acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase occurs. In contrast, the first five decades of life are characterized by relative stability of enzyme-positive lysosomal apparatus of lymphocytes. Above studies have been performed using semiquantitative cytochemical methods. The authors discuss their results with regard to similar phenomenon of lysosomes disintegration in lymphocytes in patients with malignancies.