Abstract
Abstract
A colorimetric assay using 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid as substrate was used to determine the levels of neuraminidase activity in plasma following experimental peritonitis in rats. Plasma neuraminidase activity was increased 30- to 40-fold 18 hr after induction of peritonitis by ligation and puncture of the cecum. Similar increases were found with endogenous glycoproteins or added fetuin as substrates. From differences in the pH versus activity profile and the stability of the enzyme it appeared that the substantial increase in plasma neuraminidase activity with this form of peritonitis was due, to a large extent, to bacterial neuraminidase, but a contribution by tissue enzymes could not be excluded.
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