THE EFFECT OF LEU-ENKEPHALIN ON MICE LIVER LYSOSOMES

The concentration of two hepatic lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase and beta-glucosidases, were followed after in vivo administration of Leu-enkephalin (LENK) on mice liver lysosomes. Only six hours after a single i/p administration of 10 mg/kg of LENK significantly increased concentrations of these enzymes were found, while in other times (30 min, 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, 48 and 78 hours) there were no significant changes in the release of both lysosomal enzymes studied. The in vitro incubation of LENK with isolated lysosomal-rich fraction showed that concentrations of 10(-12) M, 10(-6) M and 10(-2) M did not alter activities neither of acid phosphatase nor of beta-glucosidase. Thus, administration of a high dose of LENK changes only briefly the permeability of lysosomal membrane, but does not affect the activity of lysosomal membrane enzymes.