Increased serum glycosidase activity in human hypertension

Compared to values obtained in healthy normotensive control subjects, the serum activity of the lysosomal enzymes N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and beta-glucuronidase, was found to be elevated in patients with mild or borderline hypertension. The serum activity of the cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase was the same in the two groups. Serum NAG activity in hypertension was inversely correlated with glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow. Because of the greater variability of beta-glucuronidase activity, there were no such correlations between the serum levels of this enzyme and the measurements of renal function.