Monocyte hydrolases are harmful when secreted inappropriately. In this study we have investigated thelevels of one of the hydrolases,β-hexosaminidase in patients with obstructive jaundice. These patientsshowed markedly elevated plasma levels, and their monocytes show increased spontaneous secretionand total enzyme content. The plasma enzyme levels correlate with monocyte enzyme content as well asbile salt, and bilirubin levels, the high levels may also reflect Kupffer cell damage, as these cells clear theenzyme. Compared with controls monocytes from jaundiced patients show reduced enzyme secretionafter PMA stimulation,in vitro, and unchanged secretion after zymozan stimulation. There is adifference between plasma enzyme levels in benign and malignant patients but this does not provide aclear distinction between the two groups. We conclude that patients with obstructive jaundice haveincreased blood level ofβ-hexosaminidase, and that activated monocytes partly contribute to thischange.
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