Cell metabolism in kwashiorkor

Skeletal Muscle Metabolism in Uremic Rats: A ³¹P-Magnetic Resonance Study

“…However, there is evidence that there are factors involved other than limited tissue oxygen availability [1], and uremia is associated with a variety of physiological and biochemi cal derangements in skeletal muscle. Anaerobic threshold, a measure of oxidative work capacity, is reduced [2,3], and yet, lactate production is impaired [4], Since dialysis im proves the activity of several glycolytic enzymes [5], there would appear to be abnormalities in both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in the uremic patient.…”

Biochemical Effects of Protein-Calorie Malnutrition in Man

“…The deficit of magnesium in muscle (97,121) in PCM is associated with strongly positive Mg balances during recovery (119,122). The retentions were greater than expected from nitrogen balance, consistent with proto plasmic depletion of Mg. Magnesium deficiency may be associated with neurological manifestations such as tremors, twitching, and convulsions (123) and possibly with the short P-R intervals and depressed or inverted TV5 found in electrocardiograms of children with protein-calorie malnutrition (124).…”

“…Body water : Total body water is increased in relation to weight, sur face area, expected weight for height, or tissue solids in malnourished in fants and children with protein-calorie malnutrition or Kwashiorkor, when measured by TaO (88,89), D20 (90 chemical analysis of the body (80,92), or muscle (93)(94)(95)(96)(97). Total body water (TBW) as a percentage of body weight or of ideal weight for age in malnour ished preschool children is increased in proportion to the degree of weight retardation (87,89) .…”

“…The inorganic (Pi) and organic phosphate contents of muscle are marked ly reduced in PCM (94,97). Death is associated with an increase of Pi, apparently at the expense of organic phosphate in muscle.…”

Polymorph Leucocyte Function in Uraemia and Jaundice

“…Polymorphs that are deficient in NADPH oxidase (as in chronic granulomatous dis ease) or in MPO, neutrophiles that cannot produce hydrogen peroxide or those that have a defect in hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt activity show defective iodina tion and bactericidal capacity [6], Already one study in acute hepatic necrosis has shown defective HMP shunt activity [1], In this study an assessment of simple tests for the study of leucocyte function and their possible impairment in jaundice or uraemia has been made by examining glucose utilisa tion by the HMP shunt, the ability of cells to take up l4C-leucine [12], and their ca pacity for iodination [7]. MPO and leuco cyte esterase were also quantitated, and a study was also made of the effects of poten tial toxins on the former and on the related enzyme microperoxidase that is an integral part of cytochrome c.…”