The use of beta-glucuronidase as a measure of pleural irritation.

It has been shown that the enzyme Beta-Glucuronidase Is present in the fluid which develops in the pleural cavity during certain diseases.’ Whether this enzyme occurs as a result of migration through the pleura from the blood, or whether it Is secreted by the epithelium lining the pleural cavity has not been determined. In our studies at this hospital on pleural effusions, we have assayed Beta-Glucuronidase activity on the fluid before and after administration of therapeutic agents, in order to determine the effect that the drug has had on the enzyme level. The substances used were: (1) Streptokinase-Streptodornase (SK-SD) (2) Trypsin (Tryptar) (3) Hyaluronidase (4) Streptomycmn (5) Penicillin (6) Para-aminosalicylic Acid (PAS) (7) Methylene blue.