[Glycosaminoglycans and beta-glucuronidase in peripheral blood cells and biological fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

: Content of glycosaminoglycans and beta-glucuronidase activity were measured in leukocytes, blood serum and urine of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Concentration of glycosaminoglycans was increased in blood serum and urine of the patients. The most distinct increase as compared with healthy persons in content of these substances was found in leukocytes of the patients with joint form of rheumatoid arthritis. Activity of beta-glucuronidase was also elevated in cells of peripheral blood, whereas content of protein was decreased in these cells. The enzymatic activity was reduced in the fraction of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of the patients as shown by estimation of the activity per 10(6) cells after fractionation using the Ficoll-verografin procedure. Deficiency of beta-glucuronidase activity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes appears to be among the factors responsible for excess of glycosaminoglycans in blood serum and urine of the patients as well as for chronic inflammation under conditions of rheumatoid arthritis.