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Leucocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity in G-6-PD deficient Chinese
Insights
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency in Chinese individuals affects not only red blood cells but also white blood cells. This study confirms lower G-6-PD enzyme activity in leucocytes of affected children and mothers.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Genetics
Background:
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency is a common inherited disorder.
- The enzyme's role in protecting erythrocytes from oxidative stress is well-established.
- Previous research primarily focused on G-6-PD activity in erythrocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate G-6-PD enzyme activity in leucocytes of individuals with G-6-PD deficiency.
- To determine if the enzyme defect is present in white blood cells in addition to red blood cells.
- To compare leucocyte G-6-PD activity between deficient and normal individuals across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme activity assays were performed on leucocytes.
- Participants included hemizygous males, heterozygous females, and normal controls.
- Statistical analysis compared mean G-6-PD activity between groups.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower mean G-6-PD activity was observed in leucocytes of affected neonates and children compared to normal newborns (P < 0.01).
- A substantial percentage of G-6-PD deficient neonates (70%) and children (58%) exhibited leucocyte enzyme activity below 13 IU/10(9)WBC.
- Heterozygous G-6-PD deficient mothers also showed lower leucocyte enzyme activity than controls.
Conclusions:
- The G-6-PD enzyme defect is demonstrable in leucocytes of G-6-PD deficient Chinese individuals.
- This finding extends the understanding of G-6-PD deficiency beyond erythrocytes.
- Leucocyte G-6-PD activity may serve as an additional indicator for G-6-PD deficiency.
Abstract:
The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) in leucocytes was studied for erythrocyte G-6-PD deficiency using 49 hemizygous males, 16 heterozygous females, and 19 normal controls. The mean G-6-PD activity in leucocytes of the affected neonates (9.2 +/- 5.4 units) and the children (11.2 +/- 5.3 units) were significantly lower than those of normal newborns (22.9 +/- 5.1 units, P less than 0.01). Seventy percent of the effected newborns and 58% of the children with G-6-PD deficiency had the leucocyte enzyme activity of less than 13 IU/10(9)WBC. The leucocyte enzyme activity (14.6 +/- 8.6 units) of 16 heterozygous G-6-PD deficient mothers was also lower than that of normal controls (23.1 +/- 7.0 units). The present study thus concludes that, in G-6-PD deficient Chinese, the enzyme defect is demonstrable not only in erythrocytes but also in leucocytes.