Distribution of Lysozyme in the Rat Kidney and the Role of This Enzyme in Experimental Pyelonephritis ∗

Summary

Lysozyme, a naturally occurring antimicrobial enzyme, has been shown to be present in the renal cortex in a concentration 7 times that of the renal medulla. Exogenous lysozyme given intraperitoneally accumulated in the kidney and raised substantially the concentration of lysozyme in renal cortex and medulla. Repeated intraperitoneal injections of lysozyme, however, did not influence the growth of Streptococcus fecalis in the renal cortex or medulla nor did administration of this enzyme enhance the formation of protoplasts in the hypertonic tissue fluid of the renal medulla.