[Lymphocyte phenylvaleric acid hydroxylase activity (L-PVH), a new marker of peripheral neurotoxicity].

A reduction in the level of a new enzymatic assay--a phenyl valerate hydrolase (PVH)--has been found during the clinical evolution of toxic neuropathies (as almitrine-bismetilate ones) as well as alcoholic or diabetic neuropathies. The substrate and the enzymatic function are different from those used by M.K. Johnson for NTE. The method follows procedures comparable to NTE (differential determination after inhibition by paraoxon and by paraoxon plus mipafox or DFP). It may be useful to test possible neurotoxicity of drugs and chemicals.