1. Reduced activities of four enzymes from brush borders were found in intestinal biopsies from patients with untreated coeliac disease. The activities returned towards control values after treatment by gluten withdrawal. Parallel changes were noted for the cytosol enzyme lactate dehydrogenase.
2. Measurement of brush-border integrity by differential centrifugation of biopsy extracts indicated increased fragility of the brush borders in biopsies from untreated patients. Normal values were obtained for biopsies from treated patients.
3. Increased activities of six acid hydrolases (lysosomal enzymes) were found in biopsies from untreated coeliac patients. Normal values were obtained for biopsies from treated patients.
4. Assessment of lysosomal integrity by assay of latent N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase and of sedimentable activity of four acid hydrolases demonstrated increased lysosomal fragility in untreated coeliac mucosa. These lysosomal changes return to within the normal range after treatment by gluten withdrawal.
5. The lysosomal changes are consistent with their having a pathogenic role in the enterocyte damage of coeliac disease. Possible mechanisms for the lysosomal changes are discussed.
