Role of β-glucuronidase, a lysosomal enzyme, in the pathogenesis of intestinal amoebiasis: an experimental study

Abstract

The role of β-glucuronidase (BG), released by blood monocytes and Kupffer cells, in die pathogenesis of intestinal amoebiasis was studied. Guinea-pigs, infected intracaecally with Entamoeba histolytica, were killed 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 d after infection. Enhanced levels of BG were observed in the cell lysates as well as supernatants of both blood monocytes and Kupffer cells in the infected animals, from the 3rd day after infection, as compared to those in controls. The rise in BG levels was more marked on 7 and 14 d after infection (P < 0·001). The animal which survived for 21 d had lower levels of BG, though still significantly higher than those in controls (P < 0·05). The animals with grade IV or V caecal scoring and on the verge of death had higher levels of β-glucuronidase. A direct correlation was observed between the enzyme levels and severity of infection. It is postulated that acid hydrolases have a role in causing tissue damage during intestinal amoebiasis.