Impaired Carbohydrate Metabolism of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

This study measures hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt activity, glycolytic rate, and glucose transport in PMN and lymphocytes of patients with glycogen storage disease (GSD) type lb as compared with controls and with GSD Ia patients. HMP shunt activity and glycolysis were significantly lower in intact PMN cells of GSD Tb patients as compared with GSD Ia patients and with controls. These activities were above normal levels in disrupted GSD lb PMN. HMP shunt activity and glycolytic rates in lymphocytes were similar in all three groups studied. The rate of 2-deoxyglucose transport into GSD Tb PMN was 30% of that into cells of normal controls. In GSD Tb lymphocytes or in GSD Ia PMN and lymphocytes transport was normal. The striking limitation of glucose transport across the cell membrane of the PMN of GSD Tb patients may account for the impairment of leukocyte function that is characteristic of GSD Tb, but not found in GSD Ia patients.