Synovial Fluid Glycosidase Activity

One hundred thirty-five joint fluids were evaluated with respect to enzymatic activity of three glycosidases. These enzymes, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, β-glucuronidase, and β-galactosidase, were markedly elevated in inflammatory joint effusions and minimally elevated in osteoarthritis. All three enzymes correlated with joint fluid white cell count in non-rheumatoid arthritis patients, while in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, the β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and β-galactosidase activities did not correlate so well. In individual patients, enzyme activity correlated with the clinical status of the involved joint and the clinical response to intra-articular steroid therapy, thus offering a possible method for the quantitation of inflammatory joint disease.