5-Nucleotidase in liver injury induced by heavy metals. A histochemical study

The alterations in the distribution of 5-nucleotidase being the indicator of the functional state of liver parenchyma have been determined histochemically in the rat (Rattus rattus albino) after experimental poisoning with a few heavy metals viz. lead, mercury, cadmium, molybdenum, copper, and zinc that possess considerable environmental and nutritional significance. Present results show that all these metals affected the distribution and activity of 5-nucleotidase that has been explained on the basis of binding affinity of these metals, state of plasma membrane, resorption of nucleotides and variations in the level of enzyme protein. Presumably, all these factors have implications for the interpretation of observed changes in enzyme activity and are specific to each metal.