In order to observe changes in enzyme activities in ascitic fluids of ascites-forming ovarian diseases, activities of nucleases, 5´-nucleotidase and amylase in ascitic fluids from patients with non-tumorous ovarian cysts, Krukenberg´s tumor, cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma were determined. Also studied were changes in protein patterns of ascitic fluids from patients with the ovarian diseases.
1) While activities of ribonuclease (RNase) in ascitic fluid were unchanged in Krukenberg´s tumor, cystadenoma and mucinous cyst adenocarcinoma as compared with that of simple ovarian cyst, the activity was increased significantly by 20% in serous cystadenocarcinoma.
2) Activities of 5´-nucleotidase in ascitic fluid were unchanged in Krukenberg´s tumor. Activities of 5´7nucleotidase in ascitic fluid were, however, increased significantly in cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma.
3) Amylase activities in ascitic fluid were unchanged in Krukenberg´s tumor and mucinous cystadenoma. On the other hand, amylase activities in ascitic fluid were significantly increased in serous cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma, the greatest increment (6.5-fold increase) . being observed in serous cystadenocarcinoma.
4) Proteins in ascitic fluid were clearly separated into five bands on a cellulose acetate membrane by electrophoresis. In serous cystadenocarcinoma protein content of the band 1 was significantly decreased and that of the band 3 increased.
The results obtained in the present study suggested that increases in enzyme activities and changes in protein patterns of ascitic fluid from patients with serous cystadenocarcinoma might be, in part, due to alterations in nucleic acid and protein metabolism observed in ovarian cancer tissues and body fluids.
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