The effect of infection on leukocyte and serum lysosomal enzyme activities in protein-calorie malnutrition

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 15 - 26
• Main Authors: Olomu, N.I., Paed, F.M.C., Omene, J.A., Glew, R.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 1989; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: ACTIVIDAD ENZIMATICA; ACTIVITE ENZYMATIQUE; Biological and medical sciences; CARENCE PROTEIQUE; CITOPLASMA; CYTOPLASME; DEFICIENCIA DE PROTEINAS; ENFANT; Enzymes. Coenzymes. Vitamins. Pigments; FOSFATASA ACIDA; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HIDROLASAS; HYDROLASE; Hydrolases; INFECCIONES; INFECTION; LEUCOCITOS; LEUCOCYTE; Leukocyte; Lysosomal; MALNUTRICION; MALNUTRITION; Metabolisms and neurohumoral controls; NINOS; PCM; PHOSPHATASE ACIDE; Serum; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Infection; Serum; Hydrolases; PCM; Leukocyte; Lysosomal; Human; Hydrolase; Nutrition; Diet; Enzyme; Lysosome; Malnutrition; Age
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/S0271-5317(89)80100-9

Representative leukocyte and serum lysosomal enzymes, namely B-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase and hexosaminidase, were studied in 53 protein-calorie malnourished children and 26 controls. The leukocyte lysosomal enzyme activities were elevated in non-infected malnourished children while significant decreases in these enzymes were observed in the leukocytes of the infected malnourished group whose serum lysosomal hydrolase levels were also significantly elevated. These observed alterations in serum and leukocyte hydrolase activities may partially explain the impaired leukocyte microbicidal activity and the increased propensity for the development of endotoxic shock in children with protein-calorie-malnutrition.