Plasma activities of lysosomal enzymes after hepatic dearterialization in man

Six patients with liver metastases from carcinoid or colon carcinoma underwent hepatic derterialization. This operation, known to cause both tumor necrosis and liver cell damage, caused considerable increases of several lysosomal acid hydrolases in the circulation. Thus, beta-glucosidase showed a small temporary increase during the operation, followed by a slower but higher reaction reaching a maximum 12 to 36 hours postoperatively. Similar reactions were noted for beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, arylsuphatase A, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase while no reactions were found for cathepsin D. Very high enzyme levels occurred in a patient dying from bleeding complications in the postoperative period.