The bound carbohydrates of fractionated serum proteins in protein-calorie malnutrition.

Alterations in the carbohydrate composition of serum protein fractions have been determined in pooled sera from 35 children with protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM), 30 children treated for PCM, and 24 age- and social status-matched controls. Total protein-bound hexose (PBH), protein-bound sialic acid (PBSA), and protein-bound fucose (PBF) were elevated in PCM, but only PBF returned to control levels with treatment. Ratios of bound carbohydrate to protein in the unfractioned serum were elevated in PCM but PBH and PBF protein or globulin ratios returned to normal with treatment. The most marked change in carbohydrate composition occurred in the alpha1-globulin fraction. Molar ratios in the individual globulin fractions indicated an increase in carbohydrate moieties as follows: PBSA greater than PBH greater than PBF.