<title>Activity of lysosomal enzymes of blood in open-angle glaucoma</title>

Abstract

Recently more attention has been given to the role of the lysosomal enzymes in the development of various pathological conditions. There were indications on the participation of lysosomal ferments in the development of various eye diseases such as glaucoma. Studies on the (beta) - galactosidase and cathepsins B and D activity in the blood's serum of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were conducted. The activity of enzymes was determined by the spectrophotometry method. Cardiovascular and chronic lungs diseases accompanied ones in the main group. Patients included in the control group were of the same age and with the similar somatic patholegym. Statistically authentic galactosidase activity in the serum of patients with glaucoma as compared with control group was statistically unauthentic. Cathepsin B activity in the serum of patients with glaucoma was authentically increased at all stages of disease. In the contrary, cathepsin D activity increased at stages 2 and 3 in comparison with the control. On the basis of these studies we come to conclusion that primary glaucoma is accompanied by the increase of activity of cathepsins B and D in the serum.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.