GLYOXALASE-I ACTIVITY IN ERYTHROCYTES FROM SEVERELY MALNOURISHED CHILDREN

The enzyme glyoxalase I (Glyox I) is involved in metabolic detoxificat ion, and requires glutathione (GSH) as a cofactor. Given the low conce ntration of whole blood GSH in children with oedematous malnutrition, it is possible that the function of this pathway mcly be compromised i n these children. Glyox I activity was therefore assayed in erythrocyt es taken from om 133 severely malnourished children and 21 age-matched controls. The mean values (+/- SEM) for the marasmic group (Marasmus: 105 +/- 4/u/gm Hb) and the group with kwashiorkor (Kwash: 103 +/- 4/u /gm Hb) were not significantly different from controls (Cent: 104 +/- 2 u/gm Hb). In the group with marasmic-kwashiorkor (M-K: 88 +/- 4u/g H b) Glyox I activity was significantly lower than in controls (p < 0.00 5), as well as in children with Marasmus (p < 0.005), and kwashiorkor (p < 0.05). Enzyme activity was lower than normal in 45% of the MK gro up. Seven children died subsequent to admission; in five cases Glyox I activities were exceedingly low. There was a weak positive correlatio n between Glyox I activity and whole blood levels of GSH (r = 0.215). We conclude that Glyox I activity is relatively unaffected in mal nutr ition, except in those with M-K and especially those who do not surviv e the acutely malnourished stare.