Pentose-Phosphate Pathway of Erythrocytes in Metabolic Diseases

Abstract

The transketolase activity (TKA) of red cells was determined in 443 subjects: 286 control subjects, 48 diabetics, 29 patients with hyperthyroidism, 8 with hypothyroidism, 29 chronic alcoholics, 25 patients with sideropenia, and 14 with dementia senilis. TKA levels significantly lower than those of the control series were recorded in chronic alcoholicsand patients with dementia senilis. The cause of this finding is discussed

Pentose Phosphate Pathway of Erythrocytes in Uremia

“…For this reason, TKA determinations are used as a measure of the thiamine deficiency at cellular level. Reduced TKA values have been reported in nutritional disturbances, in alcoholics [10] and in post operative conditions after intestinal resection [9], The red cell TKA is also low dur ing the acute attacks in hepatic porphyria [10]. It has also been discovered that, in patients taking diphenylhydantoin, some plasma factor, although not DPH alone, strongly inhibits the transketolase activity of red cells [11J.…”

“…The samples for red cell TKA were drawn from venous blood, treated and de termined as reported earlier [10].…”

“…While the present series was being examined, some nonpemicious patients showed spurious TKA val ues. A closer examination revealed [8,10] that these patients were affect ed with chronic nephropathy and uremia. In a later, somewhat more ex tensive series it was found that in uremia the red cell TKA may be re markably high, yet within the range of normal variation.…”

“…In a later, somewhat more ex tensive series it was found that in uremia the red cell TKA may be re markably high, yet within the range of normal variation. Extremely few values lower than the normal level may occur [10].…”

Pentose Phosphate Pathway Inhibition in Blood Cells during Anticonceptive Hormone Therapy

“…The red cell TKA increases in pernicious anaemia (4), and sometimes in uraemia (12), whereas it decreases in thiamine deficiency states (3), in post gastrectomy states (6), chronic alcoholism (8), dementia senilis (8) and hepatic porphyrias (11).…”