LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE ACTIVITY IN MARASMIC TYPE OF PROTEIN-CALORIE MALNUTRITION

The effect of heparin on LPL activity, the kinetics in the plasma of this enzyme, and the FFA levels in 14 cases of marasmus were investigated in the severe and recovery stages of the disease. The free fatty acid levels were found to be comparable to normal control values. This finding was in agreement with the absence of fatty liver enlargement in this type of protein-calorie malnutrition. LPL activity in the plasma after the administration of heparin did not rise as high as observed in the normal controls. This is probably the expression of a defect in the synthesis of this enzyme similar to defects in other enzyme systems observed in states of malnutrition. The defect in synthesis of the enzyme persisted for up to 14 weeks.