Proteolytic Enzymes and Acid Phosphatase in Theprostatic Fluid in Chronic Prostatitis

Abstract

In order to determine whether or not chronic prostatitis destroyed the chemical effectiveness of the prostatic epithelium, the activities of acid phosphatase and fibrinolysin were detd. Prostatic fluid was obtained from 25 patients. Acid phosphatase was measured by a slight modification of the method of King and Armstrong. 0.1 ml. of prostatic fluid was diluted with water to 100 ml. and acid phosphatase was detd. on 0.5 ml. aliquots. Fibrinolysin was detd. with buffered fibrinogen which was clotted by the addition of thrombin. Fibrinolysin was increased in the cell-free prostatic fluid of chronic prostatitis and acid phosphatase varied in conc. but was not reduced below normal levels.