Biochemical Changes in Liver Associated with Kwashiorkor1

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Measurements in liver biopsy samples of 6 enzymes and 5 other substances were made on 13 Guatemalan children. Results of similar analyses on liver autopsy specimens from 5 St. Louis children dying from causes unrelated to kwashiorkor are also included, together with analyses of livers from 12 rats, to confirm the validity of studying autopsy material. Biopsy samples from 6 children with kwashiorkor were obtained both initially and after 3-4 weeks treatment. The increase in protein and the decrease in total lipid with treatment was marked. Concomitantly there were striking increases relative to protein in xanthine oxidase and D-amino acid oxidase. During treatment of the children with kwashiorkor no significant changes relative to protein were found in the following substances in liver: riboflavin, glycolic acid oxidase, DPNH-dehydro-genase, malic dehydrogenase, transaminase, oxidized pyridine nucleo-tides, and cholesterol. The levels of all substances measured in the livers of kwashiorkor cases after treatment were generally equal to those of autopsy specimens of St. Louis children, except for glycolic acid oxidase and xanthine oxidase which did not increase to the values found in the autopsy samples. Protein in serum increased 70% during treatment and relative to protein, cholinesterase increased 100% and amylase 30%. The red blood cell riboflavin doubled.