STUDIES OF CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN MYASTHENIA GRAVIS IN CONDITIONS OF ISCHAEMIC EXERCISE

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Abstract
A study was carried out on 17 patients with myasthenia gravis and 15 controls in whom the following values were determined in the venous blood: lactic, pyruvic, citric and alpha-keto-glutaric acids and phosphoric compounds before and after ischaemic excercise of the forearm muscles. In 10 patients, the same test was repeated after the administration of prostig-mine. A statistically significant decrease in the fasting values of lactic, pyruvic, citric and alpha-keto-glutaric acids; significantly lower lactic acid values in ischaemic exercise but comparatively normal dynamics; increase in pyruvic acid dynamics; increase in the dynamics and pathologic aspect of citric and alpha-keto-glutaric acids, i.e. paradoxal increase in the ischaemic period; normal values and dynamics of the phosphoric fractions; and a definite increase in the fasting values of lactic, citric and alpha-keto-glutaric acids following the administration of anticholinesterase drugs (prostigmine) occur. Carbohydrate metabolism disturbances appear to be accounted for by block of the motor end-plates and by alterations of the intramuscular nerve endings.