Inhibitory action of D-galactose on phagocyte metabolism and function

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Abstract
To account for enhanced susceptibility to infection among [human infant] galactosemics, the acute effects of D-galactose on metabolic and functional activities of phagocytic cells in vitro were investigated. Human and guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) when incubated in medium containing 30 mM galactose displayed substantially less killing of Escherichia coli than when incubated in medium with 5 mM glucose. Impaired bactericidal activity was dependent upon galactose concentration but could be partially averted by supplementing the galactose-containing medium with 15 mM glucose. Phagocytic activities of guinea pig PMN and peritoneal macrophages, assayed by following ingestion of 32P-labeled E. coli, were also depressed by elevated galactose. Galactose was readily epimerized to glucose by resting PMN; this conversion was stimulated by phagocytosis. Incubation of macrophages in the presence of galactose resulted in depletion of intracellular levels of ATP and other metabolites.