RESUMEN
The enzyme glycoxalase I (glyox I) is involved in metabolic detoxification, and requires glutathione (GSH) as a cofactor. Given the low concentration of whole blood GSH in children with oedematous malnutrition, it is possible that the function of this pathway may be compromised in these children. Glyox I activity was therfore assayed in erythocytes taken from 133 severely malnourished children and 21 age-matched controls. The mean values (ñSEM) for the marasmic group (marasmus: 105 ñ 4/u/gm Hb) and the group with kwashiorkor (Kwash: 103 ñ 4/u/gm Hb) were not significantly different from controls (cont: 104 ñ 2u/gm HB)>. In the group with marasmic-kwashiorkor (M-K: 88 ñ 4u/g Hb) Glyox I activity was significantly lower in controls (p < 0.005), as well as in children with marasmus (p < 0.005), and kwashiorkor (p < 0.05). Enzyme activity was lower than normal in 45 per cent of the MK group. Seven children died subsequent to admission; in five cases Glyox I activities were exceedingly low. There was a weak positive correlation between Glyox I activity and whole blood levels of GSH (r=0.215). We conclude that Glyox I activity is relatively unaffected in malnutrition, except in those with M-K and especially those who do not survive the acutely malnourished state