Altered intracellular enzyme activity of monocytes and lymphocytes in Hodgkin's disease

To evaluate metabolic functionality of monocytes and lymphocytes in Hodgkin's disease (HD) we studied 3 enzymes of the intermediary metabolism, G-6-PDH, PHI, ICDH, and the acid hydrolases, NAG and ACP. These enzymes were measured in purified cell fractions of 9 patients with advanced disease and 11 normal controls. The cells were isolated with cell scatter-monitored counterflow centrifugation. Enzymes were measured in the cell lysates by means of fluorimetric microassays. In the monocytes of HD patients a significantly increased G-6-PDH activity was found (P less than 0.01), indicating an enhanced activity of the hexose monophosphate shunt. The other enzymes showed no clear differences compared to normal controls. The lymphocytes of HD patients showed a significantly augmented activity of both G-6-PDH (P less than 0.001) and PHI (P less than 0.01), pointing to an increased HMPS and glycolytic activity. These findings are in support of an enhanced metabolic activity of both monocytes and lymphocytes in HD.