An Age-Dependent Determination of Lysosomal Enzyme Activities, as well as the Measurements of the Incorporation of 14-C-Proline and 14-C-GIucosamine in a Subcutaneously Implanted Polyether Sponge
Synthetic sponge (polyether) was implanted in the subcutis of male albino rats of 3 age groups: 6 weeks old, 9 months old and 20–22 months old. Morphological and biological examinations were made on the granulation tissue which migrated into it. As parameters for the inter-cellular catabolic process, the activity measurements of the β-glucuronidase, β-acetylglucosaminidase, cathepsin D and a collagen catabolic enzyme were conducted. The incorporation rate of 14C-glucosamine and 14C-ρroline served as an indicator for the synthesis mechanisms. In addition to this, the DNA content of the sponge was determined. The measurements of all the above-named parameters were made 14, 21 and 30 days after the implantation, on the sponge implanted in the paravertebral subcutis. The results demonstrate that, depending on the duration of implantation as well as on the age of the animal, distinct alterations of the examined parameters take place. A correlation of the various parameters to one another could not be established. The findings were discussed in relation to those found in the literature.