Activity of Lysosomal Exoglycosidases of Rat Alimentary Tract in Chronic Exposure to N-Nitrosodimethylamine

Increasing pollution of the environment by nitrosocompounds has been observed. Acute intoxication of animals by nitrosocompounds leads to necrosis and chronic exposure to neoplasm. We have little information on the influence of nitrosocompounds on the metabolism of glycoconjugates (glycoproteins, glycolipids and proteoglycans) in animals. The aim of our work is to evaluate the influence of exposure of rats for 10 and 90 days to N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), on activity of lysosomal exoglycosidases (enzymes hydrolysing terminal sugars in oligosaccharides) in the alimentary tract. It was found that intoxication of rats with NDMA increased specific activity of N-acetyl-P-hexosaminidase, β-galactosidase and α-mannosidase in the majority of tissues of rat alimentary tract. Damage to the cells of the alimentary tract by NDMA or its metabolites P, increases activity of exoglycosidases, because damaged tissue elements must be removed by catabolic enzymes before restoration processes can start.