Alterations in the Activity of Certain Serum Lysosomal Hydrolases in Patients with Elevated Prostate-Specific Antigen Level Can Help in Distinguishing between Benign and Malignant Prostate Lesions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the activity of some lysosomal hydrolases in patients with an elevated prostate-specific antigen level. The activities of prostate-specific antigen, arylsuphatase, acid phosphatase, cathepsin D and α1-antitrypsin were assayed in blood serum. The highest aryl-suphatase and acid phosphatase activity and lowest cathepsin D activity were observed in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and concomitant asymptomatic inflammation. The lowest arylsuphatase and acid phosphatase activities were revealed in prostate cancer patients, while the highest cathepsin D activity was found in patients with only benign prostatic hyperplasia. We hope that the estimation of aryl-suphatase and acid phosphatase activity may help in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions.