Serum β-Acetylglucosaminidase and Arylsulfatase A in Inflammatory Disorders of Muscle and Connective Tissue 1

Summary

Increased serum β-acetylglucosaminidase was found in some patients with active polymyositis or dermatomyositis, in a majority of patients with SLE, and in a few patients with local or systemic vasculitis. Arylsulfatase A was also increased, but only in a smaller number of patients. Enzyme levels were normal in most patients with inactive myositis and always in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, other forms of dystrophy, various other myopathies and the majority of patients with neurogenic atrophies. High serum creatine kinase activity was nearly always present in the dystrophies and in a few patients with neurogenic disease and in one patient with myasthenia gravis.

This study suggests a correlation between lysosomal enzymes in the inflamed tissues and serum β-aetylglucosaminidase activity in certain inflammatory disorders of muscle, connective tissue and blood vessels.