Glycogen storage disease type I: pathophysiology of liver adenomas

Of the many complications associated with glycogen storage disease type I, hepatic tumours cause great concern because of their malignant potential and the current difficulties in monitoring them. Hepatic adenomas occur in 22%-75% of affected adults, according to the population studied, and from those reported in the literature are thought to have an approximately 10% risk of undergoing malignant transformation. Their aetiology is unclear, but they occur generally in post-pubertal patients, and can be either single or multiple. This article discusses theories of their aetiology, methods of detection and monitoring, and treatment options.

CONCLUSION

the incidence of liver tumours in younger adults seems less than in older ones, suggesting that better dietary treatment, and thus improved metabolic control, may be protective. Surgery (partial hepatectomy or orthotopic liver transplantation) is the definitive therapy for these tumours, but the timing of this intervention is difficult to determine and it is not without its own hazards.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in glycogen storage disease type 1b. Results of the European Study on Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1

Patients with glycogen storage disease type 1b (GSD-1b) have neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction that predispose to frequent infections and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), for which granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) is given. To investigate the use and the value of GCSF treatment in GSD-1b, a retrospective registry of GSD-1 patients born between 1960 and 1995 in 12 European countries was established. Included were 57 GSD-1b patients. Unglycosylated GCSF was given to 18 patients, median age of starting therapy was 8 years, longest duration of therapy 7 years. Dose varied between 2-10 micro g/kg, with a frequency from daily to twice per week. Neutropenia (defined as an absolute neutrophil count <0.5 x 10(9)/l) was found in 49 patients. In untreated patients, a significant decrease of haemoglobin, platelet counts and leucocyte counts with increasing age ( P<0.032, P<0.04 and P<0.001 respectively) was noted, whereas neutrophil counts remained low but stable with increasing age. In nine patients who were treated longer than 1 year, median neutrophil counts increased significantly and simultaneously median leucocyte counts and platelet counts decreased significantly. In all patients treated, the number and severity of infections decreased and the severity of IBD improved subjectively. The most serious complication of GCSF treatment was marked splenomegaly (four patients).

CONCLUSION

in this retrospective study a significant haematological effect was documented and a subjective improvement of infections and inflammatory bowel disease. In view of the uncertainty, prospective controlled trials seem warranted to clarify the indication for the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in this disease.

Disturbed lipid metabolism in glycogen storage disease type 1

Glycogen storage disease type 1 (GSD1) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase, the enzyme catalysing the conversion of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) to glucose. GSD1 is associated with severe hyperlipidaemia and hepatic steatosis. The underlying mechanisms responsible for these abnormalities in lipid metabolism are only partly known. This review summarises data available on hyperlipidaemia and steatosis in GSD1 and postulates new hypotheses for unresolved issues. Evidence indicates that lipid clearance from the blood compartment is decreased in GSD1. Furthermore, in two GSD1a patients synthesis of palmitate, an indicator of de novo lipogenesis, and cholesterol were found to be increased 40-fold and 7-fold, respectively. Elevated hepatic G6P levels may play a regulatory role in lipid synthesis via activation of transcription of lipogenic genes. In addition, accelerated glycolysis will supply acetyl-CoA molecules required for lipogenesis. It is as yet unclear whether hepatic secretion of lipids in the form of very low density lipoprotein-triglycerides (VLDL-TG) is altered in GSD1 patients: we recently found unaffected VLDL-TG secretion rates in an acute animal model of GSD1b. Hepatic steatosis, which is invariably present in GSD1 is probably mainly caused by an increased free fatty acid flux from adipose tissue to the liver and, to a limited extent, by increased de novo lipogenesis.

CONCLUSION

future studies, using novel stable isotope methodologies, are warranted to further clarify the disturbances in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in glycogen storage disease type 1 and the role of glucose-6-phosphate herein.

Glycogen storage disease type I: indications for liver and/or kidney transplantation

Even though significant progress has been achieved in the management of patients with glycogen storage disease type I, hepatic (mainly adenomas) and renal (proteinuria, renal failure) complications may still develop. Orthotopic liver transplantation has been reported in less than 20 patients, and, in most cases, its indications were multiple hepatic adenomas, sometimes combined with poor metabolic control and/or growth retardation. Even though short-term outcome seems to be favourable, long-term complications have been reported in several cases. Thus it appears that improved metabolic control has to be attempted before performing liver transplantation in such patients. As for renal transplantation, it has been performed in patients with terminal renal failure. It is hoped that improving long-term metabolic control will prevent renal involvement from evolving to terminal renal failure. Finally, combined liver and kidney transplantation may be indicated in a few patients.

CONCLUSION

organ (liver/kidney) transplantation in glycogen storage disease type I may be advantageous when long-term metabolic control has been attempted. Nevertheless, post-transplantat long-term complications may still develop.

Guidelines for management of glycogen storage disease type I - European Study on Glycogen Storage Disease Type I (ESGSD I)

Life-expectancy in glycogen storage disease type I (GSD I) has improved considerably. Its relative rarity implies that no metabolic centre has experience of large series of patients and experience with long-term management and follow-up at each centre is limited. There is wide variation in methods of dietary and pharmacological treatment. Based on the data of the European Study on Glycogen Storage Disease Type I, discussions within this study group, discussions with the participants of the international SHS-symposium 'Glycogen Storage Disease Type I and II: Recent Developments, Management and Outcome' (Fulda, Germany; 22-25th November 2000) and on data from the literature, guidelines are presented concerning: (1). diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis and carrier detection; (2). (biomedical) targets; (3). recommendations for dietary treatment; (4). recommendations for pharmacological treatment; (5). metabolic derangement/intercurrent infections/emergency treatment/preparation elective surgery; and (6). management of complications (directly) related to metabolic disturbances and complications which may develop with ageing and their follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In this paper guidelines for the management of GSD I are presented.

Historical highlights and unsolved problems in glycogen storage disease type 1

Thirty-three years after Von Gierke described the first patient with glycogen storage disease type 1 (GSD1) in 1929, the Coris detected glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) deficiency. The first mutation of this enzyme was identified 41 years later and subsequently the gene was mapped to chromosome 17q21, its enzyme topology defined, a nine transmembrane helical model suggested, an enzyme deficient knockout mouse created and by infusing an adenoviral vector associated murine G6Pase gene, correction of the clinical and laboratory abnormalities was observed. A similar successful gene transfer has been performed in enzyme deficient canine puppies. To explain the function of the G6Pase complex, a multicomponent translocase catalytic model has been proposed in which different transporters shuttle glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), inorganic phosphate (Pi) and glucose across the microsomal membrane. It was suggested that GSD1b patients suffered from a G6P transporter (G6PT) defect and the first mutation in the G6PT gene subsequently recognised. The gene mapped to chromosome 11q23 and its structural organisation was defined which showed a close functional linkage between G6PT and hydrolysis. Nordlie identified the first patient with Pi transport deficiency (GSD1c). However putative GSD1c and 1d patients based on kinetic studies were found to harbour mutations in the G6PT gene so that GSD1 patients are presently divided into 1a and non-1a. G6PT deficient patients suffer from numerical and functional leucocyte defects. A mRNA leucocyte G6PT deficiency has been suggested to account for the glucose phosphorylation and subsequent calcium sequestration defects observed in theses cells. Inflammatory bowel disease which occurs frequently in GSD non-1a patients has been related to their leucocyte abnormalities. Dietary management of GSD1 patients, designed to maintain a normal blood glucose level can be achieved during the night by nocturnal gastric infusions of glucose-containing solution or by the administration of uncooked cornstarch around the clock or by a combination of both. Both therapeutic modalities, if conducted in a meticulous manner, have a major impact on the quality of life, prevention of complications and subsequent prognosis. Open questions relate to the source of endogenous glucose production in GSD1 patients which increases as a function of age from 50% to 100% of normal, concomitant with an improvement in the patients fasting tolerance. Several complications, the nature of which is incompletely understood, tend to occur after the first decade: Liver adenomata with a small risk of transforming into hepatoma, progressive renal disease, which may be related to the hyperlipidaemia observed in this disease, often leading to end stage renal failure, osteopenia apparently based on high bone turnover, growth retardation and delayed puberty.

CONCLUSION

this review highlights the present knowledge of glycogen storage disease type 1 and subtypes, discussing unsolved questions, which reflect the limitation of our knowledge in the understanding of this intriguing group of diseases.

Is glycogen storage disease 1a associated with atherosclerosis?

Deficiency of microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase in liver and kidney leads to glycogen storage disease type 1a (GSD 1a). Notwithstanding intensive dietary therapy, moderate to severe dyslipidaemia and microalbuminuria, both known atherosclerotic risk factors, remain present. Although more patients reach adult age, no information is still available about accelerated atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to investigate whether GSD 1a was associated with premature atherosclerosis. In nine adolescent patients (mean age 22.7+/-3.4 years) and nine matched healthy control subjects, lipid profile, blood pressure, ankle-brachial indices, aortic distensibility and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid and femoral arteries were determined. As expected, lipid profiles were significantly unfavourable in the patient group compared with the control group. No differences were found in blood pressure, ankle-brachial indices and aortic distensibility between both groups. IMT segments were comparable in both groups, with even thinner segments in the patient group. In different multivariate models, GSD 1a remained an independent predictor for a thinner IMT (R(2)=0.90; beta=-0.69; P=0.018).

CONCLUSION

glycogen storage disease type 1a is not associated with premature atherosclerosis, despite the existence of longstanding dyslipidaemia and microalbuminuria.

Consensus guidelines for management of glycogen storage disease type 1b - European Study on Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1

Life expectancy in glycogen storage disease type 1 (GSD-1) has improved considerably. Its relative rarity implies that no metabolic centre has experience of large series of patients and therefore experience with long-term management and follow-up at each centre is limited. There is wide variation in methods of dietary and pharmacological treatment. Based on data from the European Study on Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1, discussions within this study group together with those at the International SHS Symposium 'Glycogen Storage Disease Type I and II: Recent Developments, Management and Outcome', Fulda, Germany (2000) and on data from the literature, a series of guidelines were drawn up.

CONCLUSION

the following guidelines for the management of patients with glycogen storage disease type 1b are in addition to those general guidelines for glycogen storage disease type 1 and address specific problems related to neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction.

Genetics of pulmonary hypertension: from bench to bedside

Primary pulmonary hypertension has been described as either sporadic or clustered in families. Familial primary pulmonary hypertension segregates as an autosomal dominant trait with markedly reduced disease gene penetrance. Defects within bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II gene, coding for a receptor member of the transforming growth factor-beta family, underlie familial primary pulmonary hypertension. Several lines of evidence point to the potential requirement of additional factors, either environmental or genetic, in the pathogenesis of the disease. In addition, a proportion of so-called sporadic primary pulmonary hypertension turns out to have an inherited basis, as demonstrated by germline bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II gene mutations. Analysis of cases in association with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia led to the demonstration that pulmonary arterial hypertension can involve activin-receptor-like kinase 1 mutations, a type I transforming growth factor-beta receptor. These findings emphasise the critical role of the transforming growth factor-beta signalling pathway in pulmonary arterial hypertension. While this achievement has generated extreme interest, the pathobiology of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension remains unclear and genomic approaches to pulmonary hypertension research may identify additional molecular determinants for this disorder. Finally, there is an urgent need to develop relevant guidelines for genetic counselling to assist patients, their relatives and pulmonary vascular specialists to utilise these recent observations.

Intestinal function in glycogen storage disease type I

Glycogen storage disease type I (GSD I) (McKusick 232200) is caused by inherited defects of the glucose-6-phosphatase complex. Patients with GSD Ia as well as patients with GSD lb may suffer from intermittent diarrhoea, which seems to worsen with age. The cause of this diarrhoea is unknown. This study describes the results of investigations of intestinal functions and morphology in patients with GSD Ia and GSD lb, which were performed to detect a common cause for chronic diarrhoea in GSD I. The following were investigated: faecal fat excretion, faecal alpha1-antitrypsin and faecal chymotrypsin, expiratory H2 concentrations, persorption of cornstarch in urine and colonic biopsies. With the investigations presented in this study, no common cause for diarrhoea in GSD I was found. In GSD lb loss of mucosal barrier function due to inflammation, documented by increased faecal alpha1-antitrypsin excretion (3.5-9.6 mg/g dry faeces) and inflammation in the colonic biopsies, seems to be the main cause. The inflammation is most likely related to disturbed neutrophil function, which is often found in GSD lb. Whether another cause is involved in GSD Ia and in GSD Ib, related to the disturbed function of glucose-6-phosphatase in the enterocyte, remains to be investigated.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension and type-I glycogen-storage disease: the serotonin hypothesis

A case of pulmonary arterial hypertension in a patient with type-Ia glycogen-storage disease, a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase is reported in this study. It has been suggested that the occurrence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in type-Ia glycogen-storage disease could be due to an abnormal production of vasoconstrictive amines such as serotonin. To test this hypothesis, plasma serotonin concentrations were prospectively measured in 13 patients with type-Ia glycogen-storage disease, one patient with severe pulmonary hypertension and type-Ia glycogen-storage disease, 16 patients displaying severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, and 26 normal healthy controls. Elevated plasma serotonin concentrations were found in patients with either severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (38.8+/-7.3 nmol x L(-1)) or type-Ia glycogen-storage disease (36.8+/-11.5 nmol x L(-1)), as compared with controls (8.8+/-0.6 nmol x L(-1), p<0.001). Plasma serotonin was dramatically elevated in the patient with type-Ia glycogen-storage disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension (113.4 nmol x L(-1)). It is concluded that type-Ia glycogen-storage disease may be another condition in which abnormal handling of serotonin is one event in a multistep process leading to severe pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Kernicterus: an international perspective

Kernicterus occurs in all parts of the world. The risk is increased in countries where glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficiency is common. In the 1990's more case reports of infants who developed kernicterus were published than in the previous decades. A combination of reduced concern for jaundice in newborns, early discharge with inadequate follow-up and a decreased awareness of the signs that may herald serious toxicity may have contributed to the apparent increase in the incidence of kernicterus. Although most jaundiced newborns do not need aggressive evaluation or treatment, physicians who deal with such infants still need to be vigilant. We lack the necessary tools to distinguish infants who may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of bilirubin on the brain from those who may tolerate high serum bilirubin levels without harm. Therefore it is imperative that each infant with significant jaundice be conscientiously evaluated and a plan for testing and, if necessary, therapy be formulated. Transcutaneous measurement of bilirubin is a simple tool that significantly reduces the need for invasive tests. Signs of possible neurotoxicity must never be disregarded or neglected. Any jaundiced infant who shows signs of possible neurotoxicity should receive intensive phototherapy as an emergency procedure while further evaluation continues. Further studies regarding bilirubin toxicity and neonatal jaundice are needed, both in the basic science as well as in the clinical arena.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: a potential source of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency is a commonly occurring enzyme defect that can lead to severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus. Both increased haemolysis, sometimes due to an identifiable chemical trigger or to infection, and diminished bilirubin conjugation, the result of an interaction between G-6-PD deficiency and Gilbert's syndrome, contribute to the pathogenesis of the jaundice. Phototherapy is the mainstay of treatment, with exchange transfusion held in reserve for those neonates who do not respond to phototherapy. Pharmacological agents such as Sn-mesoporphyrins, which prevent bilirubin production by inhibiting the enzyme heme oxygenase, can limit hyperbilirubinaemia and possibly prevent the need for exchange transfusion. Predischarge serum total bilirubin screening is useful in predicting which neonates are at high risk for developing hyperbilirubinaemia. Migration patterns make G-6-PD deficiency a condition which may nowadays be encountered in virtually any corner of the globe and a high degree of physician awareness is essential.

Glycogen storage disease

Glycogen storage disease (GSD) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by hypoglycemia, hepatosplenomegaly, seizures, and failure to thrive in infants. Neutropenia and/or neutrophil dysfunction develops in GSD1b, but not in other types. GSD1b results from a deficiency of the glucose-6-phosphate translocase enzyme and the genetic defect maps to chromosome 11q23. Patients with GSD1b are susceptible to recurrent bacterial infections, commonly involving the perirectal area, ears, skin, and urinary tract, although life-threatening infections, such as septicemia, pneumonia, and meningitis occur less frequently. Although the exact mechanism of neutropenia in patients with GSD1b is not known, treatment with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has reduced the incidence of infections and has improved the quality of life of these patients. Defects in neutrophil chemotaxis and intracellular bacterial killing have been described and appear to be corrected by the use of G-CSF. To date, no cases of myelodysplasia or acute myeloid leukemia have been observed in patients with GSD1b treated with G-CSF. A significant complication of cytokine therapy is the development of hypersplenism, requiring either a reduction in the dosage of G-CSF or splenectomy.

Acute rheumatic fever in a patient with glycogen storage disease type Ib: causal or coincidental simultaneous occurrence?

We report a Caucasian female who was diagnosed with glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD-Ib) at the age of 4 months and whose clinical course was complicated by neutropenia and very frequent episodes of infection, including tonsillopharyngitis. Recurrent group A streptococcal infections resulted in multiple episodes of extremely high serum levels of antibodies to streptolysin O (5,000 IU/ml) and DNAse B (6,000 IU/ ml). At the age of 14 years she presented with carditis, migratory arthritis, fever, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate as well as serological evidence for recent streptococcal infection providing a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever.

CONCLUSION

the occurrence of these two very rare disorders in our patient may indicate that this association is not coincidental because neutrophil dysfunction in glycogen storage disease type Ib may have predisposed this patient to acute rheumatic fever due to increased susceptibility to group A streptococcal infections. aberrant glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction are regular findings in GSD-Ib. Neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction in patients with GSD-Ib are due to defects in myeloid maturation, impaired neutrophil motility, defective chemotaxis and phagocytosis and diminished bactericidal activity resulting in recurrent bacterial infections.

Increased lipogenesis and resistance of lipoproteins to oxidative modification in two patients with glycogen storage disease type 1a

We describe 2 patients with glycogen storage disease type 1a and severe hyperlipidemia without premature atherosclerosis. Susceptibility of low-density lipoproteins to oxidation was decreased, possibly related to the ~40-fold increase in palmitate synthesis altering lipoprotein saturated fatty acid contents. These findings are potentially relevant for antihyperlipidemic treatment in patients with glycogen storage disease type 1a.

Neutrophil adherence receptor deficiency regressing with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor therapy in a case of glycogen storage disease type Ib

Neutrophils from patients suffering from glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD-Ib) show marked functional deficiencies (chemotaxis, respiratory burst, and phagocytosis). Here we describe neutrophil adherence receptor (L-selectin CD62L and beta2 integrins CD11b/CD18) deficiency in a patient with genotype of GSD-Ib, who presented with recurrent infections, diminished neutrophil count and impaired functions. Treatment with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) had a beneficial effect on the infectious status, the enhancement of phagocytosis and the regression of the adherence receptor defect.

CONCLUSION

this is the first observation of a patient with glycogen storage disease type Ib with a deficiency in leucocyte adherence receptor expression, which regressed with growth factor therapy. It underlines the potential role of these receptors in the genesis of recurrent infections which occur in patients with this disease.

Glucose-6-phosphatase gene mutations in 20 adult Japanese patients with glycogen storage disease type 1a with reference to hepatic tumors

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A few cases are reported of liver neoplasms observed in patients with glycogen storage disease type 1a (GSD1a). Genetic analysis was carried out in adult Japanese patients with GSD1a and their family members, and hepatic tumors were also investigated in these patients.

METHODS

DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 20 adult patients with GSD1a and 21 family members, and mutations were detected based on the differences in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of the glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) gene shown by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Actual mutations were confirmed by direct sequencing. The relationship between the occurrence of liver tumors and the clinical characteristics of the patients was also investigated.

RESULTS

Nineteen of the 20 patients were homozygous for the G727T mutation and one was a compound heterozygote for G727T plus G327A mutations. All of the 19 homozygotes for G727T had hepatomegaly, three had hepatocellular carcinoma, one had cholangiocellular carcinoma, and seven had hepatic adenoma. There were no differences between the tumor and non-tumor groups with respect to laboratory biochemical data (P > 0.05). The mean age of G727T homozygotes with hepatocellular carcinoma was 48.3 years, and that of those with hepatic adenoma was approximately 20 years younger.

CONCLUSION

The G727T mutation seems to be common among Japanese patients with GSD1a, and the discovery of one heterozygote with a combination of G727T and G327A mutations (the latter mutation is common among Chinese) by the use of polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis gave further insight into Japanese ancestry. This is the first study of liver tumors in a large group of adult GSD1a patients with the G727T mutation. As most of the patients in our series are free from other chronic liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, other genetic and/or acquired factors may have influence on the sequel to this metabolic disease.

Feeding difficulties in long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency

Feeding difficulties are common in long chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency in early childhood and are not associated with developmental disability, metabolic abnormalities, or the overnight feeding regimen. They are an inherent part of the phenotype and it is important to recognise them because of the distress and disruption they cause.

Genetic interactions in the pathogenesis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: Gilbert's Syndrome and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency is a common condition with a worldwide distribution that has the potential for causing severe hyperbilirubinemia with bilirubin encephalopathy. Hemolysis resulting from identifiable triggers may be the cause of the jaundice in some cases, but in many, jaundice continues to occur despite avoidance of contact with known hemolytic triggers. In some G-6-PD-deficient population groups, carboxyhemoglobin studies have indicated exaggerated hemolysis; but in others, increased hemolysis has not correlated with serum total bilirubin values. As hyperbilirubinemia results from an imbalance between bilirubin production and bilirubin elimination, diminished bilirubin conjugation was suspected to contribute to the pathogenesis of hyperbilirubinemia. Serum-conjugated bilirubin fractions, reflecting intrahepatocytic bilirubin conjugation, were low in G-6-PD-deficient neonates who developed hyperbilirubinemia. This conjugated bilirubin profile was similar to that seen in adults with Gilbert's Syndrome, a condition associated with promoter polymorphism for the gene encoding the bilirubin-conjugating enzyme, UGT glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT). Whereas G-6-PD deficiency or Gilbert's Syndrome, alone, did not predispose to hyperbilirubinemia, G-6-PD-deficient neonates who also were heterozygotes or homozygotes for the variant UGT gene promoter did have significantly increased incidences of hyperbilirubinemia. Additional conditions which predispose to neonatal jaundice in the presence of Gilbert's Syndrome, include Coombs' negative ABO blood group heterospecificity, hereditary spherocytosis, and prolonged breastfeeding.Gilbert's Syndrome and G-6-PD deficiency are both common, inherited conditions. Individually, and in the absence of additional genetic or environmental factors, both are benign, and should result in minimal health disturbance or interference with the quality of life of affected individuals. However, in combination, or following exposure to environmental or other genetic factors, these benign conditions may have severe manifestations, with potentially dangerous and possibly life-threatening consequences. This review highlights the major clinical features of both Gilbert's Syndrome and G-6-PD deficiency, and surveys a series of studies related to neonatal jaundice in G-6-PD-deficient neonates culminating in the documentation of an interaction between the two conditions that is crucial to the pathogenesis of hyperbilirubinemia.

Glycogen storage disease lb and Crohn colitis in a young woman

The occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease in patients with glycogen storage disease lb is rare (GSD-lb). We present the case of a young woman with the diagnosis of GSD-lb Crohn-like colitis developed at age 22. Clinical evaluation revealed severe malnutrition, secondary amenorrhea, leukopenia, neutropenia, dysfunctions of phagocytosis, and subtotal stenosis of the ascending colon. Right hemicolectomy was performed and pathohistologic analysis of the resected bowel showed chronic bowel inflammation consistent with Crohn disease. Clinical status of the patient markedly improved after surgery.

Spontaneous regression of hepatic adenoma in a patient with glycogen storage disease type I after hemodialysis: ultrasonographic and CT findings

A 23-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with recurrent gouty arthritis. Laboratory findings showed hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia, with normal values of serum alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKA-II). A diagnosis of glycogen storage disease type I (GSD-type I) was made on the basis of the laboratory data, liver biopsy findings, and partially deficient thrombocyte glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) activity. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed multiple focal hepatic masses. Biopsied specimens of the lesion demonstrated a hepatic adenoma, which changed in appearance in the relatively short period between echography and computed tomography. This interesting phenomenon may highlight the importance for careful follow-up of hepatic adenomas, because of the potential of rupture, hemorrhage, or malignant transformation. During follow-up, the present patient received hemodialysis due to renal failure, and the adenoma regressed spontaneously after 8 years. Included are diagnostic images, demonstrating the association of hepatic adenoma and GSD-type I.

[Continuous treatment with colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) for neutropenia associated with type Ib glycogenosis]

In the last few years, granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSF), or hematopoietic growth factors, have created new possibilities for treating severe neutropenias, with high clinical efficacy and minimal adverse effects. Moreover, due to genetic recombinant techniques, the therapeutic use of these glycoproteins is increasing. We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who was diagnosed with glycogenosis IB at the age of 7 months. From the age of 2 years, she presented severe established neutropenia secondary to the main disease. Subcutaneus G-CSF therapy was started. The patient has shown no serious infections, has maintained normal growth and development, and has not required hospitalization. Adverse effects have been minimal. The therapeutic efficacy demonstrated by this case justifies the continuous use of G-CSF, although the lack of long-term perspectives should not be forgotten.