American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 25, 166-174, Copyright © 1972 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Metabolic and bactericidal activities of leukocytes in protein-calorie malnutrition

¹ From the National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jamai-Osmania P.O., Hyderabad-7, Andhra Pradesh, India

Leukocyte metabolic activities were studied in normal children and children suffering from protein-calorie malnutrition. Glycolytic activity, which supplies the necessary energy for particle uptake, was found to be decreased in phagocytizing leukocytes isolated from children suffering from PCM, indicating either decreased phagocytosis or a metabolic defect. The stimulation of glycolytic activity, which is seen in normal leukocytes in the presence of particles, was also absent in PCM patients. The direct oxidation of glucose through the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS) was stimulated to a significantly lesser extent during phagocytosis in leukocytes isolated from children suffering from PCM. Evidence was obtained to show that these metabolic changes occur due to changes within the leukocytes rather than to altered serum factors. Following treatment, the different metabolic parameters changed toward a normal pattern. Bactericidal activity of leukocytes isolated from PCM subjects against E. coli was also significantly lower than normal and showed considerable improvement after treatment.

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