[Studies on the diagnostic value of various enzymatic activties in icterogenic hepatitis of infancy. II. Sorbitol dehydrogenase, guanase and argininosuccinate lyase].
The AA. have determined the levels of argininesuccinatolyase (ASAL), sorbitoldehydrogenase (SDH) and guanase (GUA) in 65 cases of hepatitis of infancy, by comparison with the corresponding levels of transaminases. Of all the enzymes examined, transaminases were the most sensitive sign of liver damage, not only because of their more pronounced rise in the earlier stages of the disease, but also in consideration of their slower regression to normal values. The AA. nevertheless believe that a special significance can be assigned to the determination of SDH for its persistency to levels higher than the normal ones in prolonged hepatitis, and for its quick increase in the recurrences; its regression to normal values may be assumed as an early and clear sign for the demonstration of the stages indicative of recovery.