The insulin, glucose and cholesterol level and activity of lysosomal enzymes in the course of the model alloxan diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: The study was carried out on fifty male rabbits of the New Zealand White breed. Diabetes was caused by a single, intravenous alloxan injection. Rabbits which had glycaemia 7th day after the alloxan administration higher than 11 millimol/litre were selected for the studies. They were divided into 5 groups: I - control (without diabetes); II - 3-week diabetes; III - 6-week diabetes; IV - 3-month diabetes; V - 6-month diabetes.
METHODS: In control and experimental rabbits the activity of beta-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, lysosomal acid phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, cathepsin D, and lysosomal arylesterase was determined in lysosomal fractions of the liver and kidney.
RESULTS: Alloxan caused lowering of the activity of all the investigated enzymes in the kidney and liver except lysosomal arylesterase.
CONCLUSION: Alloxan injection caused a significant increase in the activity of all the investigated enzymes. The advisable lysosomal enzymes may be useful for the monitoring of the course and effectiveness of diabetes therapy.