Blood, 1955, Vol. 10, No. 9, pp. 912-925.
© 1955 American Society of Hematology, Inc.
Hemolytic Property of Some Carbohydrases; Their
Possible Role in Red Cell Destruction
ELIE P. LEROY 1 and
WILMA SPURRIER 1
1 Hematology Laboratory and the Hektoen Institute for Medical Research of
the Cook County Hospital, and the Laboratories of the Edgewater Hospital, Chicago.
-glucuronidase, in concentration above the normal level in the blood, hemolyzed human red blood cells after a latent period of 10 to 12 hours. Erythrocytes
sensitized by specific antibodies are lysed in the presence of -glucuronidase in
physiologic concentrations (approximately 200 Fishman units per 100 ml. of
serum). Other enzymes, such as hyaluronidase and lysozyme, are hemolytic also.
Similarity between these enzymes and the lysins found in pre-incubated tissue
extracts is pointed out. It is suggested that -glucuronidase and hyaluronidase
play some role in the destruction of red blood cells under certain pathologic conditions. The inhibition of the lytic action of -glucuronidase by D-glucosaccharic
acid and by small concentration of silver nitrate is shown. Inhibitors of -glucuronidase lysis could be of some value in the treatment of some hemolytic
disorders.
Submitted on October 8, 1954
Accepted on May 30, 1955
