ROLE OF CATHEPSIN-E IN DUODENAL ULCERATION

Cathepsin E (CTSE), an aspartic protease, may play an important role i n intracellular proteolysis and in inducing an immune response. In vie w of its distribution in foveolar epithelial cells, fundic and pyloric glands, and its role in mucosal metabolism, we estimated cathepsin E activity in 200 duodenal ulcer patients and in 125 asymptomatic age an d sex-matched control subjects. The aim was to examine its possible ro le in duodenal ulceration. We found significantly lower fundic CTSE ac tivity in duodenal ulcer patients (mean +/- SD : 59.47 +/- 27.3 mU) as compared to controls (means +/- SD : 76.72 +/- 33.4 mU). The role of CTSE as a defensive factor is discussed.