Reduced Pyruvic Kinase Activity, Altered Growth Patterns of ATP in Leukocytes, and Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

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Abstract
The activity of the enzyme pyruvic kinase in leukocytes isolated from severely malnourished children was markedly decresed, while those of lactic and malic dehydrogenases were unchanged compared to those in leukocytes from the control, well-nourished children. The progressive linear decrement of ATP and the increment of ADP expected in leukocytes during normal growth of infants from 8 to 24 months was disturbed in leukocytes of severely malnourished children; ATP levels were low initially and remained so. The data suggest an aberration of energy metabolism in the leukocytes of severely malnourished children which is similar to that previously observed in muscle of children with protein-calorie malnutrition.