week 10 - metabolic disorders 2 Flashcards
What is Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD)
Genetic condition that affects the enzymes involved in the storage or breakdown of glycogen.
Describe the structure and function of glycogen?
Branched polysaccharide of glucose.
Glycogen is a form of energy storage
Stored in liver and skeletal muscle
Give a brief overview of GSD type 1 aka Von Gierke’s disease
There are 2 subtypes:
GSD 1a is where there is an issue with glucose-6-phosphatase
GSD 1b is when there is an issue with glucose-6-phosphate translocase
Both the enzymes are needed for the release of glucose, so in GSD 1a and 1b there is a failure of glycogenolysis (breaking down glycogen to produce glucose)
Describe the genetics of GSD type 1
It is autosomal recessive - so parents can be carriers and not affected and give birth to an affected child
Describe how an affected baby in the womb may be healthy but when born starts to suffer from the disease
Because the baby in the womb has it’s mother’s glucose transferred to it via the placenta
What are the symptoms of GSD 1?
Primary symptoms:
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
Increased infection (in 1b)
Secondary symptoms:
Increase in uric acid in the blood caused by low serum insulin
Increase in lactic acid in blood
Hepatic adenoma
IBS in 1b
Treatment for GSD type 1?
High glucose/high starch foods bc the body can’t produce glucose
Avoiding other sugars
Nocturnal gastric infusion
Filgrastim - treats low neutrophil count in GSD 1b by stimulating bone marrow
Gene therapy
What are the side effects of treatment for GSD 1?
Pancreatic hypertrophy - enlarged pancreas
Enlarged spleen, low platelet count, anaemia in 1b
What is the pathophysiology of GSD 1?
(what can GSD 1 lead to)
Hypoglycaemia
Lactic acidosis
Hyperuricemia
Hepatomegaly
Hepatic adenoma
How does hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) occur in GSD 1?
Because glucose can’t be produced as there is failure in the enzymes that break down glycogen into glucose. So therefore there is low glucose sugar in the blood
The only way to increase blood glucose is via a high glucose diet.
How can lactic acidosis arise in GSD 1?
Lactic acidosis is an increase in lactic acid in the blood.
It occurs from impaired gluconeogenesis (new glucose being made)
It occurs when there is an accumulation of G6P which inhibits the conversion of lactate to pyruvate.
Causes discomfort in muscles
How does hyperuricemia occur in GSD 1?
This is where there is high levels of uric acid in the blood.
The high levels of uric acid are caused by the kidneys not being able to excrete enough uric acid.
This can lead to kidney stones, gout etc
How does hepatomegaly arise in GSD 1?
It is when you have an enlarged liver.
It is caused by an accumulation of glycogen in the liver as it isn’t being broken down into glucose.
Causes a protruding abdomen
How does hepatic adenoma arise in GSD 1?
It is a benign tumour of the liver, aetiology unknown.
Can progress to carcinoma.
You can reduce the size of the tumour by controlling your blood glucose levels.
Ho is GSD 1 diagnosed?
Genetic testing
Blood tests to check lactate, uric acid, glucose levels
Check neutrophil count as low neutrophil count only affects 1b
Biopsy of the liver
Give a brief overview of GSD type 2? aka Pompe disease
An autosomal recessive disease
It is caused by a deficiency in alpha-glucosidase (GAA)
It impairs glycogenolysis (breaking down glucose) because GAA usually degrades glycogen polymers to glucose in the lysosomes,
so if there is a deficiency in GAA glycogen cannot break down in to glucose
damages muscle cells
What are the symptoms of GSD 2?
Infantile symptoms:
Muscle weakness
Respiratory deficiency
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Swallowing difficulty
Hearing loss
Hypotonia (low levels of muscle tone)
Late onset symptoms:
Muscle weakness
Respiratory weakness
Balance issues
Scoliosis
Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
Treatment for GSD 2?
Enzyme replacement therapy
High calorie diet
Speech therapy
Physiotherapy
Respiratory assistance
What is the pathophysiology of GSD 2?
It can cause enlargement of the lysosomes and can cause them to rupture./
It disrupts the contractile units of the muscle leading to wasting
How can you diagnose GSD 2?
Take a blood test to check GAA activity
Genetic testing for GAA mutations
Skin biopsy for GAA activity
Give a brief summary of GSD type 4? aka Andersen disease
It is autosomal recessive
It is when there is a deficiency in the Glycogen branching enzyme (GBE)
GBE adds branching to growing glycogen polymers, in GSD 4, abnormal glycogen accumulates which damages liver and muscle cells
What are the symptoms of GSD 4?
Progressive hepatic type:
Liver fibrosis
Cirrhosis
Hepatosplenomegaly
Reduced growth
Build up of fluid in abdominal cavity
Neuromuscular variants:
Muscle weakness
Muscle wasting
Severe cardiomyopathy
Heart enlargement due to weakness in heart muscle
Oedema
How can you treat GSD 4?
Liver transplant
Manage Cirrhosis and heart dysfunction
What is the pathophysiology of GSD 4?
It can cause an accumulation of structurally abnormal glycogen which interferes with liver function.
Leads to scar tissue
