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Reduced production of sulfated glycosaminoglycans occurs in Zambian children with kwashiorkor but not marasmus

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Amadi, Beatrice, Fagbemi, Andrew O., Kelly, Paul, Mwiya, Mwiya, Torrente, Franco, Salvestrini, Camilla, Day, Richard, Golden, Michael H., Eklund, Erik A., Freeze, Hudson H. and Murch, Simon (2009) Reduced production of sulfated glycosaminoglycans occurs in Zambian children with kwashiorkor but not marasmus. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol.89 (No.2). pp. 592-600. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2008.27092 ISSN 0002-9165.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2008.27092

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Abstract

Background: Kwashiorkor, a form of severe malnutrition with high mortality, is characterized by edema and systemic abnormalities. Although extremely common, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood, and its characteristic physical signs are unexplained.

Objective: Because kwashiorkor can develop in protein-losing enteropathy, which is caused by a loss of enterocyte heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), and previous observations suggest abnormal sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) metabolism, we examined whether intestinal GAG and HSPG are abnormal in children with kwashiorkor.

Design: Duodenal biopsy samples collected from Zambian children with marasmus (n = 18), marasmic kwashiorkor (n = 8), and kwashiorkor (n = 15) were examined for expression of HSPG, GAGs, and immunologic markers and compared against reference samples from healthy UK control children. GAG and HSPG expression density and inflammatory cell populations were quantitated by computerized analysis.

Results: The kwashiorkor group was less wasted and had a lower HIV incidence than did the other groups. All duodenal biopsy samples showed inflammation compared with the histologically uninflamed control samples. Biopsy samples from marasmic children had greater inflammation and greater CD3+ and HLA-DR (human leukocyte antigen DR)-positive cell densities than did samples from children with kwashiorkor. Expression of both HSPG and GAGs was similar between marasmic and well-nourished UK children but was markedly lower in children with kwashiorkor in both the epithelium and lamina propria. Although underglycosylated and undersulfated, epithelial syndecan-1 protein was normally expressed in kwashiorkor, which confirmed that abnormalities arise after core protein synthesis.

Conclusions: Intestinal HSPG loss occurs in kwashiorkor, which may precipitate protein-losing enteropathy to cause edema. If occurring systemically, impaired HSPG expression could cause several previously unexplained features of kwashiorkor. We speculate that a genetic predisposition to reduced HSPG biosynthesis may offer a contrasting selective advantage, by both diminishing protein catabolism during transient undernutrition and protecting against specific infectious diseases. Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 89: 592-600.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Journal or Publication Title: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publisher: American Society for Nutrition
ISSN: 0002-9165
Official Date: 1 February 2009
Dates:
DateEvent
1 February 2009Published
Volume: Vol.89
Number: No.2
Number of Pages: 9
Page Range: pp. 592-600
DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.27092
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder: Wellcome Trust, Children's Heart Fund

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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