Activity of lysosomal system in mouse liver after taxol administration

1. The effect of taxol on selected lysosomal enzymes (cathepsin D, lysosomal lipase, beta-glucuronidase, beta-glucosidase, alanine aminopeptidase) in mouse hepatocytes after 24-hr treatment by increasing doses (0.75 mg/kg bw, 1.25 mg/kg bw and 2.5 mg/kg bw) was studied. 2. The segments were also taken from the mice for ultrastructural studies with the use of electron microscopy. The greatest changes in activity of enzymes at the taxol dose of 2.5 mg/kg bw were as follows: the activity of cathepsin D increased by 71%, that of alanine aminopeptidase increased by 103%, that of beta-glucuronidase decreased by 45% and that of beta-glucosidase decreased by 63%. 3. The significant changes observed in the hepatocyte ultrastructure were closely correlated with biochemical changes that were dependent on the taxol dosage.