Enzymatic activities in jejunal biopsy specimens from patients with the stagnant-loop syndrome.

The activity of the marker enzymes lactase, sucrase, neutral alpha-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase (brush border); 5-nucleotidase (basolateral membrane); and acid phosphatase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (lysosomes) in jejunal biopsies from patients with the stagnant-loop syndrome and controls was studied. The activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase was increased in the patient group; the activity of the other enzymes did not differ significantly in patients and controls. The DNA to protein ratio was increased in the patient group. The results do not support the hypothesis of epithelial damage in the human stagnant-loop syndrome.