A study of kidney lysosomal acid phosphatase during compensatory renal hyperplasia in rats

Abstract

Female rats of the Long-Evans hooded strain, 4–6 months old and weighing 275–300 grams, were subjected to unilateral nephrectomy and the acid phosphatase activity in the remaining kidney was studied at the end of 24, 48, 72 hours, and 8 days respectively. Most of the acid phosphatase was found in the particulate fraction in normal kidneys. The enzyme activity in the soluble fraction was found to have increased the second day after the operation, but decreased to the original level by the end of 72 hours. The free activity of the lysosomal fraction also increased by the end of second postoperative day. A change in the permeability of the lysosomal membrane before the enzyme release was observed. The probable role of lysosomal enzymes in the initiation of mitotic divisions during compensatory renal hyperplasia is discussed.