Divalent cation-activated-ATPase and ecto 5'-nucleotidase activities in chronic tonsillitis.

The activities of two ectoenzymes,Mg(2+)-ATPase (ATPase) and 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT) from tonsillar mononuclear cells (TMC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were investigated in idiopathic tonsillar hyperplasia and recurrent tonsillitis. The ATPase activity of TMC was significantly higher in recurrent tonsillitis than in idiopathic tonsillar hyperplasia, whereas no difference was demonstrated in ATPase activity of PBMC. The activity of 5'-NT was similar in both investigated groups. However, ATPase and 5'-NT activities were significantly higher in TMC compared to PBMC. Such results suggest a possible role of ATPase in the activation of TMC during the course of chronic tonsillitis and indicate a difference in the function of TMC and PBMC.