B-Glucuronidase Activity of the Blood and Tissues of Obstetrical and Surgical Patients

Abstract

Conjugated estrogens were excreted in large amts. during pregnancy. Since [beta]-glucuronidase might be involved in the conjugation of the steroid hormones, its activity was studied in the blood cells and plasma during the stages of human pregnancy in 30 cases. As in most humans the conc, of the enzyme in the blood cells was much greater than that in the plasma. The enzyme activity in the. cells increased as pregnancy progressed, however, and remained high for a short period after parturition. In the plasma, the enzyme had peaks of increased activity and generally reverted to normal levels following parturition. In one case, there was a high plasma glucuronidase associated with early toxemia. The observations suggested that the detn. of blood glucuronidase might allow a better understanding of gestation and might yield diagnostic data. The [beta]-glucuronidase activity of various tumor tissues obtained at operation was studied and, where possible, the corresponding uninvolved tissue was also assayed. Plasma and blood cell enzyme were detd. before operation. In carcinoma of the breast, the tumor had 10 to 20 times as much enzyme as the normal breast. No difference from normal was seen in the benign fibroadenoma. In carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract, 4 of 6 patients showed an elevated conc, of the enzyme. The results showed no correlation of the blood glucuronidase with the incidence of cancer although there was a relatively high enzyme activity in mammary tumors. This suggested the presence of significant amts. of sex hormone in the mammary tumor.