Selective deficiency of hepatic triglyceride lipase and hypertriglyceridaemia in kwashiorkor

Abstract

1. Serum postheparin lipolytic activities (PHLA), triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations were determined in children with kwashiorkor before and after treatment and also in normal control children.2. Using the range (571–1650 μmol/l) of serum triglyceride of the control children as normal, five (20%) of the twenty-five children with kwashiorkor had low (less than 570μmol/l), thirteen (52%) had normal (571–1650, μmol/l) and seven (28%) had high (more than 1650 μmol/l) serum triglyceride levels.3. The serum PHLA did not show any definite correlation with the level of circulating triglycerides, although the lowest levels of PHLA were found in the malnourished children with highest triglyceride level.4. While the hepatic PHLA in the malnourished children was significantly less than control value, the extrahepatic PHLA did not differ significantly.5. After treatment, serum PHLA rose significantly and the mean levels were within normal range.6. Our findings suggest that a defect in catabolism of very-low-density lipoprotein caused by a low hepatic PHLA may cause hypertriglyceridaemia in children with kwashiorkor.