Phosphorylase activity in liver and muscle tissue in protein calorie malnutrition
Shukry, A.S.; Eisa, E.A.; Fayad, I.M.; Salem, S.I.
Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 75(12): 240-245
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5304 PMID: 4630518 Document Number: 46773
Biopsy samples of liver and muscle were obtained from Egyptian children with different degrees of protein-calorie malnutrition and from normal healthy children. Total liver protein decreased as the severity of the disease increased. Any clinical improvement was parallel with an increase in liver protein. Liver protein values were lower in kwashiorkor than in marasmus.Values for glycogen were significantly increased in the liver and were related to the severity of the disease, but approached normal in muscle whatever the clinical state. Phosphorylase activity was low in liver in kwashiorkor. The reduction in activity was in direct proportion to the reduction in liver protein. The low phosphorylase activity was attributed to inability to convert the inactive form of phosphorylase in the liver of malnourished children into the active form.