acid-phosphatase and Alcoholism

The harmful influence of the chronic alcohol ingestion on the male reproductive system leads to important alterations including hypogonadism and feminization, besides the morphological and functional disorganization of the different sexual glands. So, the aim of this study was to analyse the structural changes on the ventral lobe of the prostate of rats with hormonal replacement associated to chronic alcohol ingestion. A total of 30 rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) was divided into three groups: control-received water; alcoholic-received ethanol diluted to 20% and hormone-treated alcoholic-received ethanol diluted to 20% associated with the administering of testosterone (5mg/kg of weight) during the last 30 days of treatment. After 150 days of treatment, the animals were sacrificed, the prostate removed and submitted to transmission and scanning electron microscopies, histochemical analysis for acid phosphatase, testosterone level and stereologic analysis. In the alcoholic group the results demonstrated reduction of the total cellular volume and disorganization of the organelles involved in the secretory process. It was characterized a partial recovery of the cellular volume after treatment with testosterone. It was concluded that the ethanol impaired the cellular morphology and the hormonal replacement by itself did not bring about efficient remodeling of the organelles responsible for the secretory process.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alcoholism; Animals; Basement Membrane; Epithelium; Golgi Apparatus; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Microvilli; Mitochondria; Prostate; Rats; Testosterone

The specific influence of malnutrition on the pathophysiologic changes induced by chronic alcoholism is controversial. In an attempt to determine and demarcate the effects of protein malnutrition from those produced by alcoholism and to evaluate the precise effect of alcohol per se on cytochemical and ultrastructural properties of rat polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) granules, we investigated the influence of chronic protein malnutrition or chronic alcoholism alone and in combination, in rats. After a 4 month experimental period various PMN properties, such as cytochemical, morphometrical and ultrastructural, as well as neutrophil functions were studied. It was found that the degree of damage of PMNs induced either by ethanol or protein malnutrition alone was similar whereas their combination led to worsening of all markers of PMN functional ability. Ultrastructural changes of neutrophil granules including reduction, redistribution and atypical accumulation as well as appearance of autophagic vacuoles, confirmed their alteration which was emphasised by the additive pathophysiological interaction of alcoholism and chronic hypoprotein malnutrition.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alcoholism; Animals; Cytoplasmic Granules; Male; Neutrophils; Protein Deficiency; Rats; Rats, Wistar

120 d after the experimental administration of ethanol to laboratory animals (mature male white rats), the changes manifesting themselves by the steatosis and the disorders of the carbohydrate balance and of the activity of the respiratory and the hydrolytic enzymes were observed in the animals' livers. There were no symptoms of a liver fibrosis.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alcoholism; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Ethanol; Histocytochemistry; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Liver; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Reference Values; Succinate Dehydrogenase

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Alcoholism; Glycogen; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Lymphocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Naphthol AS D Esterase

Histochemical investigation of mucous membrane of the pharynx was made at rats exposed to the long-lasting alcoholic intoxication. This investigation showed the irritating and impairing effect of ethyl alcohol on the function of the pharynx on the animal model. The observed changes showed the features of the chronic inflammation.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alcoholism; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Epithelium; Ethanol; Glycosaminoglycans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Male; Mucous Membrane; Pharynx; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Succinate Dehydrogenase

Sera from 9 persons with either biopsy-proven alcoholic liver disease or a history of chronic, excessive ethanol consumption were analyzed for their content of various hydrolases. Compared to controls, significant elevations in the following enzyme activities were seen in sera from the patient population: acid phosphatase (2.0-fold), beta-glucuronidase (2.1-fold), hexosaminidase (1.4-fold), and alpha-L-fucosidase (2.3-fold). In addition, alpha-mannosidase activity, previously reported to be unchanged in cases of hepatic cirrhosis [Reglero et al., Clinica chim. Acta 130: 155-158], (1980) was found to be significantly increased (p less than 0.001) when assays were performed at acid (pH 4.5) or intermediate (pH 5.5) hydrogen ion concentrations. Fractionation of sera on DEAE-Sephadex columns showed that the increase in alpha-mannosidase activity in the serum of patients with alcoholic liver disease was due to increases in the level of at least one 'acid alpha-mannosidase' and two intermediate pH optimum alpha-mannosidases. The general increase in the activity of a group of glycosidases is consistent with a hypothesis involving decreased clearance of glycoproteins from the blood of persons with hepatic cirrhosis.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Aged; Alcoholism; alpha-L-Fucosidase; alpha-Mannosidase; Female; Glucuronidase; Hexosaminidases; Humans; Isoenzymes; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Male; Mannosidases; Middle Aged

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alcoholism; Animals; Diethylstilbestrol; Enzyme Activation; Glucose-6-Phosphatase; Liver; Liver Glycogen; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; RNA; Testosterone

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozyme composition in hair roots was determined using isoelectric focusing in 105 healthy individuals, 175 alcoholics, 86 schizophrenics and 47 drug dependents. The incidence of ALDH isozyme I deficiency in healthy populations in Japan was found to be about 40%. Among alcoholics, however, only 2.3% individuals had the isozyme deficiency. There was no difference between normal controls, schizophrenics and drug dependents regarding the incidence of ALDH isozyme I deficiency. These observations indicate a possible protective role of ALDH isozymes against alcoholism. The higher frequency of ALDH isozyme I deficiency in Japanese may explain why alcoholism in Japan has been less frequent than in European and North American countries. ALDH isozyme II was found in most of the tissues and erythrocytes. A higher frequency of individuals possessing lower ALDH activity in hemolysates was observed in alcoholics than that in controls. The activity of acid phosphatase was also reduced in alcoholics. Alcohol abuse might result in disturbed protein synthesis in the erythrocytes.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alcoholism; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; Aldehyde Oxidoreductases; Erythrocytes; Ethnicity; Genetic Variation; Hair; Humans; Isoenzymes; Japan

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alcoholism; Anemia; Bone Marrow Cells; Erythrocyte Indices; Erythropoiesis; Female; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; Folic Acid Deficiency; Hemolysis; Humans; Megaloblasts; Mitochondrial Swelling; Naphthol AS D Esterase; Pregnancy; Pyridoxal Phosphate

Rats were fed an all liquid diet for 7-8 weeks. One group received 35% of the calories as ethanol while the other group was pair-fed carbohydrates. Peritoneal macrophages prepared from ethanol treated rats had lower phagocytosis via the Fe-receptor and reduced viability in the presence of endotoxin, but their lysosomal enzyme activities measured (beta-glucuronidase, cathepsin D, acid phosphatase and acid DNase) were not different from controls.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alcoholism; Animals; Ascitic Fluid; Endotoxins; Humans; Lysosomes; Macrophages; Male; Phagocytosis; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sheep

In a few alleged rape cases, examination of vaginal secretions will be negative for spermatozoa but positive for significant levels of prostatic acid phosphatase. These laboratory results can occur in cases in which the accused is known to have sired children. The most common etiologic factors for the aspermia are vasectomies and chronic alcoholism with or without cirrhosis.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adolescent; Alcoholism; Body Fluids; Female; Forensic Medicine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oligospermia; Prostate; Rape; Vagina

Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Acid Phosphatase; Alcoholism; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Peripheral Nerves; Rabbits; Time Factors

The effects of acute and chronic administration of D-Galactosamine (GalN), Ethanol and Phenobarbital were investigated on the activities of lysosomal enzymes, i.e.; acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and n-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, and others such as gamma-GTP and adenosine triphosphatase. The histochemical distribution of gamma-GTP in the liver was also studied on biopsy specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis, and gamma-GTP levels in the serum of patients receiving drugs inductable of hepatic microsomal enzymes. 1) After a single intraperitoneal injection of GalN, the lysosomal enzyme activities were lowered in the necrotic areas, but raised in the perinecrotic areas, the proliferative Kupffer cells and intra- and/or extra-cellular eosine bodies. 2) gamma-GTP activities in rat liver after chronic administration of GalN were markedly increased in bile canalicular membrane of periportal parenchymal cells, the epithelium of bile duct and ductules, and som inflammatory cells of portal fields. Levels of serum gamma-GTP were also elevated. On histochemical studies with biopsy specimens from patients with chronic active hepatitis showing elevated gamma-GTP activity, the activity was revealed a similar localization to GalN-treated rats. These data suggested that the increased activities might be reflected on the active stage in chronic hepatitis. 3) Chronic ethanol treatment in rats induced clearly-stained lysosomes varied in size, especially large-sized. The activities of hepatic gamma-GTP were slightly increased in the bile canalicular membrane of periportal parenchymal cells and the epithelium of proliferative bile ductules. 4) It has been shown by histochemical and biochemical techniques that hepatic gamma-GTP activity was increased after phenobarbital administration in rats. A significant rise in serum gamma-GTP was observed in patients on long-term treatment with anti-epileptic drugs. These data indicated that the increased activities of serum gamma-GTP might be accompanied with induction of hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Topics: Acetylglucosaminidase; Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alcoholism; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Ethanol; Galactosamine; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Glucuronidase; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Liver; Liver Diseases; Lysosomes; Male; Phenobarbital; Rats

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Acute Disease; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Adult; Aged; Alcoholism; Alkaline Phosphatase; Biopsy; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Cholestasis; Chronic Disease; Enzymes; Fatty Liver; Female; Hepatitis A; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Diseases; Male; Middle Aged

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alcoholism; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Antitubercular Agents; Bronchi; Ethanol; Guinea Pigs; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Isoniazid; Streptomycin; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary