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Dietary Management of the Ketogenic Glycogen Storage Diseases

Abstract

The glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) comprise a group of rare inherited disorders of glycogen metabolism. The hepatic glycogenolytic forms of these disorders are typically associated with hypoglycemia and hepatomegaly. For GSD I, secondary metabolic disturbances include fasting hyperlactatemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperlipidemia. Glycogen storage disease III is caused by reduced activity of the debrancher enzyme, GSD VI by phosphorylase, and GSD IX by phosphorylase kinase. It has often been reported that the non-GSD I group of disorders have a benign course. However, myopathy, cardiomyopathy, and cirrhosis have been reported significant clinical morbidities associated with GSD III and IX in particular. There have been a range of reports indicating high-protein diets, high-fat diets, medium chain triglyceride (MCT), modified Atkins diet, and therapeutic ketones as rescuing severe phenotypes of GSD III in particular. The etiology of these severe phenotypes has not been defined. Cases presented in this report indicate potential harm from excessive simple sugar use in GSD IX C. Review of the literature indicates that most interventions have reduced the glycemic load and provide alternate substrates for energy in rescue situations. Prevention of complications is most likely to occur with a mixed balanced low glycemic index diet potentially with relative increases in protein.

Keywords
glycogen storage disease; PHKG2; glycemic index; lactate; cirrhosis; hypoglycemia

Introduction

Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders caused by inborn errors of glycogen metabolism. These disorders most commonly affect the muscle and liver where glycogen is the most abundant.11 Lee, PJ., Bhattacharya, K. Glycogen Storage Diseases. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press; 2013. Web site. http://oxfordmedicine.com/view/10.1093/med/9780199204854.001.1/med-9780199204854. Updated November 28, 2013. Accessed April 14, 2016.
http://oxfordmedicine.com/view/10.1093/m...
For GSD I, secondary metabolic disturbances include fasting hyperlactatemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperlipidemia. Glycogen storage disease III is caused by reduced activity of the debrancher enzyme, GSD VI by phosphorylase, and GSD IX by phosphorylase kinase. The physiology of GSD III, VI, and IX is different to GSD I.22 Goldstein, J, Austin, S, Kishnani, P, Bali, D. Phosphorylase kinase deficiency. In: Pagon, RA, Bird, TD, Dolan, CR, Stephens, K, Adam, MP, eds. GeneReviews. Seattle, WA: University of Washington, Seattle; 1993.,33 Kishnani, PS, Austin, SL, Arn, P. Glycogen storage disease type III diagnosis and management guidelines. Genet Med. 2010;12(7):446–463. There is fundamental impairment to gluconeogenesis and mitochondrial beta oxidation in severe forms of GSD I.44 Fernandes, J., Pikaar, NA. Hyperlipemia in children with liver glycogen disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 1969;22(5):617–627.

5 Fernandes, J, Koster, JF, Grose, WF, Sorgedrager, N. Hepatic phosphorylase deficiency. Its differentiation from other hepatic glycogenoses. Arch Dis Child. 1974;49(3):186–191.

6 Bhattacharya, K . Dietary dilemmas in the management of glycogen storage disease type I. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2011;34(3):621–629.
-77 Derks, TG, Smit, GP. Dietary management in glycogen storage disease type III: what is the evidence? J Inherit Metab Dis. 2015;38(3):545–550. Fat oxidation is not inhibited in GSD III, VI, and IX, leading to the ability to generate ketones in the presence of hypoglycemia. Glycogen storage disease III, VI, and IX can therefore be referred to as ketogenic GSDs (KGSDs). For the purpose of this article, this group will not include glycogen synthetic disorders including GSD 0 (glycogen synthase deficiency), plasma membrane glucose transport deficits, or lysosomal glycogenoses. It has often been reported that KGSDs have a benign course, but there are significant clinical morbidities associated with some forms of GSD III and IX in particular.88 Burwinkel, B, Shiomi, S, Al Zaben, A, Kilimann, MW. Liver glycogenosis due to phosphorylase kinase deficiency: PHKG2 gene structure and mutations associated with cirrhosis. Hum Mol Genet. 1998;7(1):149–154.

9 Burwinkel, B, Rootwelt, T, Kvittingen, EA, Chakraborty, PK, Kilimann, MW. Severe phenotype of phosphorylase kinase-deficient liver glycogenosis with mutations in the PHKG2 gene. Pediatr Res. 2003;54(6):834–839.
-1010 Dagli, A, Sentner, CP, Weinstein, DA. Glycogen storage disease type III. In: Pagon, RA., Adam, MP., Ardinger, HH., eds. GeneReviews(R). Seattle, WA: University of Washington; 1993. This has led to a variety of approaches to management of these conditions without uniform consensus to identify the best dietetic approach to the treatment of these conditions across the world. This article will review the literature and include practical approaches to clinical scenarios the authors have experienced.

Historical Perspective to Treatment

Carl and Gerti Cori identified the Cori ester—glucose-1-phophate in 1936. This directly led to the discovery of the etiology of GSD I, namely glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) deficiency.1111 Cori, GT, Cori, CF. Glucose-6-phosphatase of the liver in glycogen storage disease. J Biol Chem. 1952;199(2):661–667. In 2 of the 10 pathological samples examined at the time in the 1950s, abnormal glycogen structure was shown—one with “longer inner and outer chains than normal glycogen.…resembled amylopectin,” and the other “had very short outer branches… resembling a phosphorylase limit dextrin.”1212 Illingworth, B, Cori, GT. Structure of glycogens and amylopectins III. Normal and abnormal human glycogen. J Biol Chem. 1952;199(2):653–660. They demonstrated that limit dextrinosis (GSD III) was caused by amylose 1,6 glucosidase (debrancher) deficiency. This enzyme is unusual as it has 2 catalytic sites. Oligo-1,4-1,4-glucan transferase transfers 3 of the 4 glucose molecules from the branch chain to an adjacent linear chain, whereas amylo-1,6-glucosidase facilitates 1,6-glycosidic cleavage of the remaining glucose residue.

Henri-Géry Hers in the 1960s discovered the enzymatic bases of 2 more GSDs namely GSD II (Pompe disease) and GSD VI (hepatic phosphorylase deficiency), which was named after him.1313 Hers, HG. Enzymatic studies of hepatic fragments; application to the classification of glycogenoses. Rev Int Hepatol. 1959;9(1):35–55.,1414 Hers, HG. Alpha-glucosidase deficiency in generalized glycogen-storage disease (Pompe’s disease). Biochem J. 1963;86(1):11–16. Despite the phosphorylase kinase (PhK) being discovered in the 1950s, its relation to disease was only identified in the late 1960s. Phosphorylase kinase is a heterotetramer (α, β, γ, δ)4, and each subunit has different isoforms.22 Goldstein, J, Austin, S, Kishnani, P, Bali, D. Phosphorylase kinase deficiency. In: Pagon, RA, Bird, TD, Dolan, CR, Stephens, K, Adam, MP, eds. GeneReviews. Seattle, WA: University of Washington, Seattle; 1993.,1515 Venien-Bryan, C, Jonic, S, Skamnaki, V. The structure of phosphorylase kinase holoenzyme at 9.9 angstroms resolution and location of the catalytic subunit and the substrate glycogen phosphorylase. Structure. 2009;17(1):117–127. The catalytic site is located on the γ subunit, whereas the other subunits have regulatory function.1616 Huijing, F, Fernandes, J. Liver glycogenosis and phosphorylase kinase deficiency. Am J Hum Genet. 1970;22(4):484–485.,1717 Lederer, B, Van Hoof, F, Van den Berghe, G, Hers, H. Glycogen phosphorylase and its converter enzymes in haemolysates of normal human subjects and of patients with type VI glycogen-storage disease. A study of phosphorylase kinase deficiency. Biochem J. 1975;147(1):23–35. Several genes, with differing modes of inheritance and tissue expression, have been identified encoding for these subunits, and hence, GSD type IX has significant phenotypic variability.22 Goldstein, J, Austin, S, Kishnani, P, Bali, D. Phosphorylase kinase deficiency. In: Pagon, RA, Bird, TD, Dolan, CR, Stephens, K, Adam, MP, eds. GeneReviews. Seattle, WA: University of Washington, Seattle; 1993.,1818 Bali, D, Goldstein, J, Fredrickson, K. Variability of disease spectrum in children with liver phosphorylase kinase deficiency caused by mutations in the PHKG2 gene. Mol Genet Metab. 2014;111(3):309–313. doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2013.12.008.
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,1919 Beauchamp, NJ, Dalton, A, Ramaswami, U. Glycogen storage disease type IX: high variability in clinical phenotype. Mol Genet Metab. 2007;92(1-2):88–99.

In parallel with the discovery of these disorders, a series of interesting physiological studies were performed by John Fernandes in the 1960s and 1970s to try and delineate optimal management for the GSDs.44 Fernandes, J., Pikaar, NA. Hyperlipemia in children with liver glycogen disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 1969;22(5):617–627.,2020 Fernandes, J, Pikaar, NA. Ketosis in hepatic glycogenosis. Arch Dis Childh. 1972;47(251):41–46. The short-term physiological studies in a range of disorders tested hypotheses around the processing of simple sugars, disaccharides, fats, and proteins in small numbers of patients. Extrapolation from these studies are summarized below in relation to KGSD.

Fructose and Galactose Restriction

Two patients with GSD VI are studied in the paper of Fernandes and van de Kamer of 1965 using glucose, fructose, and galactose.2121 Fernandes, J, Van De Kamer, JH. Studies on the utilization of hexoses in liver glycogen disease. Pediatrics. 1965;35:470–477. Although the argument is made that neither sugar is gluconeogenic in GSD I, they are noted to synthesize glucose in these 2 patients with GSD VI. In a subsequent article in 1968, 5 with patients with GSD III were studied with fructose, glucose, galactose, wheat starch, and various proteins.2222 Fernandes, J, van de Kamer, JH. Hexose and protein tolerance tests in children with liver glycogenosis caused by a deficiency of the debranching enzyme system. Pediatrics. 1968;41(5):935–944. After the glucose was administered, there was suppression of fasting ketosis but a postprandial lactate rise. With the other simple sugars, a similar response was seen, although lactate elevations seemed higher with galactose. The authors conclude that “fructose and galactose are equivalent to glucose, but starch is more preferable because its digestion and absorption is more gradual.”

High-Protein Diet

A high-protein diet in GSD has been mentioned in the literature since 1945 in 1 case that had KGSD.2323 Bridge, EM., Holt, LE. Glycogen storage disease; observations on the pathological physiology of two cases of the hepatic form of the disease. J Pediatr. 1945;27(4):299–315. At this stage, the precise diagnosis was unknown but in retrospect appears most likely to have been GSD III. Bridge and Holt demonstrated increased nitrogen turnover and addressed this by given beef and bread late at night, which improved energy levels and dyspnea. This appeared to be standard of care as indicated by the papers of van Crefeld.2424 Van, C, Huijing, F. Glycogen storage disease. Biochemical and clinical data in sixteen cases. Am J Med. 1965;38:554–561. In the 1980s, Slonim and colleagues thoroughly investigated this line of enquiry, demonstrating decreased levels of plasma alanine in the postabsorptive state, relative to controls and patients with GSD I.2525 Slonim, AE, Weisberg, C, Benke, P, Evans, OB, Burr, IM. Reversal of debrancher deficiency myopathy by the use of high-protein nutrition. Ann Neurol. 1982;11(4):420–422.,2626 Slonim, AE, Coleman, RA, Moses, S. Amino acid disturbances in type III glycogenosis: differences from type I glycogenosis. Metabolism. 1983;32(1):70–74. They developed the hypothesis that this gluconeogenic precursor had a pivotal role to play in a gluconeogenesis, particularly after a protein load. The group subsequently reported improvement in growth when energy from protein increased from about 10% to 13% of total energy to 20% to 25% commensurate with an equivalent reduction in carbohydrate.2727 Slonim, AE, Coleman, RA, Moses, WS. Myopathy and growth failure in debrancher enzyme deficiency: improvement with high-protein nocturnal enteral therapy. J Pediatr. 1984;105(6):906–911. There have been case reports indicating rescue of cardiomyopathy using a high-protein diet. Because these cases were adults, detailed dietary data are not available in the reports about childhood management. The article by Sentner et al describes the therapeutic diet providing 37% from protein, 61% from carbohydrate, and 2% from fat.2828 Sentner, CP, Caliskan, K, Vletter, WB, Smit, GP. Heart failure due to severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy reversed by low calorie, high protein dietary adjustments in a glycogen storage disease type IIIa patient. JIMD Rep. 2012;5:13–16. The article from Dagli et al indicates an increase in protein from 20% to 30% of total energy.2828 Sentner, CP, Caliskan, K, Vletter, WB, Smit, GP. Heart failure due to severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy reversed by low calorie, high protein dietary adjustments in a glycogen storage disease type IIIa patient. JIMD Rep. 2012;5:13–16. Both report improvement in cardiomyopathy.

High-Fat/Ketones-Based Diet

There are detailed dietary data on siblings that have aggressive cardiomyopathy with GSD III, reported by Valayannopoulos et al. Infantile cardiomyopathy is rare in GSD III.2929 Valayannopoulos, V, Bajolle, F, Arnoux, JB. Successful treatment of severe cardiomyopathy in glycogen storage disease type III with D, L-3-hydroxybutyrate, ketogenic and high-protein diet. Pediatr Res. 2011;70(6):638–641. Nonetheless, the authors postulate that because the children had high glucose intake, there was insufficient ketone body production due to insulin-mediated inhibition of lipolysis. They consequently demonstrate that treatment with d, l-3-hydroxybutyrate and a ketogenic diet rescue the second sibling after he seemed to be following the course of sister who died at the age of 11 months. Brambilla et al discuss the improvement in cardiomyopathy in 2 siblings shifting carbohydrate intake from of cornstarch 5 to 6 g/kg/d to 0 with a change in carbohydrate proportion of total energy intake reducing from 50% to 60% of intake to 15%.3030 Brambilla, A, Mannarino, S, Pretese, R. Improvement of cardiomyopathy after high-fat diet in two siblings with glycogen storage disease type III. JIMD Rep. 2014;17:91–95. The report of Mayorandan et al indicates that a modified Atkins diet improved cardiomyopathy in 2 individuals, although 1 did not sustain compliance.3131 Mayorandan, S, Meyer, U, Hartmann, H, Das, AM. Glycogen storage disease type III: modified Atkins diet improves myopathy. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2014;9:196.

Case Report—Glucose Toxicity in GSD IX?

It is difficult to reach a sensible decision on appropriate management if different reports indicate good outcomes with each of a high carbohydrate, fat, and protein diet for KGSD.77 Derks, TG, Smit, GP. Dietary management in glycogen storage disease type III: what is the evidence? J Inherit Metab Dis. 2015;38(3):545–550. It is probably the case that there is no single best diet. We will attempt to discuss this in the context of the case study below whereby the intervention implemented led to deterioration in liver function of a child with GSD IX type C.

The older child presented with hepatomegaly and liver dysfunction (aspartate transaminase [AST]: 1006 [10-50] IU/L, alanine transaminase [ALT]: 583 [10-50] IU/L, γ-glutamyl transferase [GGT]: 262 [3-26] IU/L, creatine kinase: 59 [15-180] U/L) with normal synthetic function and short stature at the age of 5 years. Liver biopsy demonstrated portal–portal bridging fibrosis. Positive Periodic acid-Schiff staining was demonstrated with vacuolation after diastase digestion. No prior episodes of hypoglycemia had been documented, but a routine supervised fast demonstrated hypoglycemia and ketosis at baseline (after a 10-hour fast). On the basis of this, he was started on cornstarch to be given prior to bed and at 02:00. Daytime nutrition was not altered. GSD IXC was confirmed by massively parallel sequencing, which identified a homozygous variant (c.451C>T) in the PHKG2 gene. Following initial dietary modification and improved compliance with cornstarch therapy, liver function tests (LFTs) began to improve, and the family noticed an increase in his energy levels. Regular monitoring of LFTs (AST reduced to 383 IU/L) and abdominal ultrasounds has been stable. His diet has improved in both variety and quality, with a current macronutrient distribution of 17% energy from protein (3.1 g/kg/d), 31% from fat, and 52% from carbohydrate.

Sibling 2 was 2 years old when his older brother was diagnosed with GSD. He had been noted to have short stature and deranged LFTs by his local pediatrician. His weight was on the seventh percentile and his height well below the first percentile (.-score = 3.0). Routine bloods had revealed an elevated ALT (1235U/L) and GGT (197). His cholesterol was 5.5 mmol/L and triglycerides of 3.7 mmol/L. Preprandial ketones were elevated at 3.33 mmol/L when the glucose was 2.0 mmol/L. In order to try to aid growth, sibling 2 was started on a high-energy formula (PediaSure; Abbott Laboratories, Illinois), with carbohydrate constituents predominantly being maltodextrin and sucrose, during the day and twice nightly cornstarch. Daily protein intake was 3.9 g protein/kg and macronutrient distribution 15% from protein, fat 31%, and carbohydrate 45% with 100% reference energy intake. He was subsequently reviewed 2 months after this and, although his activity levels were substantially improved, significant deterioration in his LFTs was noted despite adherence to his dietary plan (Figure 1A). Serology for viral hepatitis infections were negative. We hypothesized that excessive glucose and oligosaccharide delivery could have contributed to this pattern, particularly noting the postprandial lactate elevation. The high-energy formula was substituted for cows’ milk and uncooked corn flour. Review 2 months later demonstrated that his liver function had improved dramatically, and this has been sustained. The macronutrient distribution 2 months after this intervention showed 16% energy from protein (4.1 g/kg/d), 30% from fat, and 49% from carbohydrate with 100% reference energy intake. This report indicates that there is an improvement in liver function only by changing the quality of the carbohydrate (ie, lower glycemic index [GI]) rather than proportion.

Figure 1
Changes in sibling 2. A, Use of regular high-energy formula during day and night (5 bolus feeds) leading to elevation in liver function tests. B, Substitution of high-energy feed for isocaloric low-fat cows’ milk and uncooked cornstarch leading to the improvement in liver function tests.

Macronutrient Composition of Diet—What Should be Done?

The theme that emerges from all the case reports, mainly in GSD III, but our case with GSD IX C is that problems seem to occur when too much carbohydrate is given. In the reported successful diets, sometimes carbohydrate is reduced and substituted for another macronutrient. In this situation, carbohydrate is displaced from the diet. In other circumstances, the effect of carbohydrate is “diluted” by another macronutrient. This in essence would alter the glycemic load of the administered carbohydrate. Our cases indicate that not only should the macronutrient be considered but the quality. This is not a new concept and specifically was commented on by John Fernandes in his studies in the 1960s in his paper about simple sugars in GSD III.

What was not clear in the 1960s was the extent to which long-term complications could occur with excessive simple sugar use. The variety of case reports referenced indicate rescue by alternative macronutrients enhancing ketogenesis or gluconeogenesis. Using more protein and fat as well as other nutrients in the diet will itself alter the glycemic load of any given meal.3232 Nilsson, AC, Ostman, EM, Granfeldt, Y, Bjorck, IM. Effect of cereal test breakfasts differing in glycemic index and content of indigestible carbohydrates on daylong glucose tolerance in healthy subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87(3):645–654. Therefore, these interventions are likely to lead to less glucose and lactate excursions in such patients, with the caveat that sufficient carbohydrate remains in the diet to prevent hypoglycemia too. However, the question that needs to be asked is what is the etiology of the worrying complications in the first place?

The body’s metabolic response to glucose loads and high GI foods has been studied in other settings. The GI index is a system for classifying carbohydrate-containing foods according to the glycemic response.3333 Jenkins, DJ, Wolever, TM, Taylor, RH. Glycemic index of foods: a physiological basis for carbohydrate exchange. Am J Clin Nutr. 1981;34(3):362–366. Consumption of high-GI foods has been shown to be related to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.3434 Ludwig, DS . The glycemic index: physiological mechanisms relating to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. JAMA. 2002;287(18):2414–2423.

35 Pawlak, DB, Kushner, JA, Ludwig, DS. Effects of dietary glycaemic index on adiposity, glucose homoeostasis, and plasma lipids in animals. Lancet. 2004;364(9436):778–785.
-3636 Barclay, AW, Petocz, P, McMillan-Price, J. Glycemic index, glycemic load, and chronic disease risk–a meta-analysis of observational studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87(3):627–637. Higher protein intake significantly reduces the relative glycemic response, area under the curve, and peak rise of glucose during a 50-g carbohydrate load,3636 Barclay, AW, Petocz, P, McMillan-Price, J. Glycemic index, glycemic load, and chronic disease risk–a meta-analysis of observational studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87(3):627–637. which may partly explain the benefits of increased protein in GSD. Slonim et al have provided additional data to suggest that protein provides a gluconeogenic substrate, and Valayannopoulos et al indicate that ketone body production is also impaired with excessive glucose.2929 Valayannopoulos, V, Bajolle, F, Arnoux, JB. Successful treatment of severe cardiomyopathy in glycogen storage disease type III with D, L-3-hydroxybutyrate, ketogenic and high-protein diet. Pediatr Res. 2011;70(6):638–641. Whether these approaches are any better than simply lowering peak glucose excursions and insulin release using complex carbohydrates such as Glycosade (Vitaflo Int Ltd, Liverpool, United Kingdom) or Brazilian cassava starch (sweet polvilho) are yet to be seen.3737 Bhattacharya, K, Orton, RC, Qi, X. A novel starch for the treatment of glycogen storage diseases. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2007;30(3):350–357.

38 Bhattacharya, K, Mundy, H, Lilburn, MF. A pilot longitudinal study of the use of waxy maize heat modified starch in the treatment of adults with glycogen storage disease type I: a randomized double-blind cross-over study. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2015;10:18.
-3939 Nalin, T, Venema, K, Weinstein, DA. In vitro digestion of starches in a dynamic gastrointestinal model: an innovative study to optimize dietary management of patients with hepatic glycogen storage diseases. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2015;38(3):529–536.

Figure 2
A diagram demonstrating the reciprocal activation and deactivation of glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase via the intermediates protein kinase and protein phosphatase 1. Adapted from Berg et al.4040 Berg, JM, Tymoczko, JL, Stryer, L. Biochemistry. 6 ed. New York, NY: W.H. Freeman & Company; 2007:1026.

In KGSD, the metabolic responses to hypo- and hyperglycemia are altered. The reciprocal physiological responses of glycogen synthase to hyperglycemia and glycogen phosphorylase kinase to hypoglycemia are indicated in Figure 2. The enzyme activation cascade following glucagon stimulation of the liver usually results in the breakdown of glycogen. Counterregulation is incomplete in patients with KGSD. In response to hypoglycemia, protein kinase A will inactivate glycogen synthase but cannot activate phosphorylase kinase in GSD 9, and consequently, glycogenolysis is impaired. In GSD III and GSD VI, there is proximal and distal inhibition of this pathway, respectively. Rapidly delivering large amounts of glucose immediately after hypoglycemia is unlikely immediately to lead to glycogen synthesis due to sustained inactivation of glycogen synthase by both protein kinase A and glycogen synthase kinase, due to reduced levels of the intermediate protein phosphatase 1 (PP1).4141 Luo, X, Zhang, Y, Ruan, X. Fasting-induced protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit contributes to postprandial blood glucose homeostasis via regulation of hepatic glycogenesis. Diabetes. 2011;60(5):1435–1445.,4242 Zhang, T, Wang, S, Lin, Y. Acetylation negatively regulates glycogen phosphorylase by recruiting protein phosphatase 1. Cell Metab. 2012;15(1):75–87. Free administered glucose is metabolized by alternative pathways such as conversion to lactate. This is one possible explanation for the elevated postprandial lactate levels seen in KGSD. If this occurs every time, there is a significant rise in blood glucose level (after hypoglycemia), chronically elevated lactate may ensue, and this may lead to end organ damage. Over and above this, there will be sustained insulin release.2929 Valayannopoulos, V, Bajolle, F, Arnoux, JB. Successful treatment of severe cardiomyopathy in glycogen storage disease type III with D, L-3-hydroxybutyrate, ketogenic and high-protein diet. Pediatr Res. 2011;70(6):638–641. Despite this being a possible mechanism, we can find no other reports linking hyperglycemia or hyperlactatemia to hepatocellular damage in GSD. Elevated lactate levels have been documented in other cases of PHKG2 and GSD III and occasionally in PHKA2 deficiency.88 Burwinkel, B, Shiomi, S, Al Zaben, A, Kilimann, MW. Liver glycogenosis due to phosphorylase kinase deficiency: PHKG2 gene structure and mutations associated with cirrhosis. Hum Mol Genet. 1998;7(1):149–154.,4343 Burwinkel, B., Tanner, MS., Kilimann, MW. Phosphorylase kinase deficient liver glycogenosis: progression to cirrhosis in infancy associated with PHKG2 mutations (H144Y and L225 R). J Med Genet. 2000;37(5):376–377.

44 Goldstein, JL, Austin, SL, Boyette, K. Molecular analysis of the AGL gene: identification of 25 novel mutations and evidence of genetic heterogeneity in patients with glycogen storage disease type III. Genet Med. 2010;12(7):424–430.
-4545 Tsilianidis, LA, Fiske, LM, Siegel, S. Aggressive therapy improves cirrhosis in glycogen storage disease type IX. Mol Genet Metab. 2013;109(2):179–182. Physiological data in animal models supporting the hypothesis indicate that PhK and the intermediate PP1 have a crucial role in glucose homeostasis, particularly when there are rapid changes in ambient glucose concentrations.4141 Luo, X, Zhang, Y, Ruan, X. Fasting-induced protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit contributes to postprandial blood glucose homeostasis via regulation of hepatic glycogenesis. Diabetes. 2011;60(5):1435–1445.,4242 Zhang, T, Wang, S, Lin, Y. Acetylation negatively regulates glycogen phosphorylase by recruiting protein phosphatase 1. Cell Metab. 2012;15(1):75–87.

There have also been some studies linking hyperglycemia to liver damage in other clinical settings, although again the mechanisms behind this are poorly defined. Good glycemic control has been found to be associated with prolonged survival in hepatitis B patients with cirrhosis, and high serum glucose has been associated with increased liver fibrosis in hepatitis C patients.4646 Kwon, SY, Kim, SS, Kwon, OS. Prognostic significance of glycaemic control in patients with HBV and HCV-related cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus. Diabet Med. 2005;22(11):1530–1535. Adult patients with existing liver disease have also been noted to have exaggerated glucose and insulin profiles following oral glucose loads.4747 Barkoukis, H, Fiedler, KM, Lerner, E. A combined high-fiber, low-glycemic index diet normalizes glucose tolerance and reduces hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in adults with hepatic cirrhosis. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102(10):1503–1507; discussion 7-8.Doubt

Cardiomyopathy is a well-recognized feature of diabetes and is seen in infants of diabetic mothers. The pathophysiology of this complication is not completely understood but starts with dysfunction in glucose and insulin homeostasis. As described, there is also dysregulation of glucose, insulin, and counterregulatory homeostasis in KGSD, which could lead to similar pathological consequences. As a result of altered glucose and insulin homeostasis, in diabetes, there is evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased lipolysis, microangiopathy, and increased collagen deposition with increased cross-linking. These all remain as plausible mechanisms for cardiomyopathy and end organ damage in KGSD.4848 Miki, T, Yuda, S, Kouzu, H, Miura, T. Diabetic cardiomyopathy: pathophysiology and clinical features. Heart Fail Rev. 2013;18(2):149–166.,4949 Isfort, M, Stevens, SC, Schaffer, S, Jong, CJ, Wold, LE. Metabolic dysfunction in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Heart Fail Rev. 2014;19(1):35–48.

Summary

There is consensus that excessive simple sugars can cause harm as indicated in the paper by Derks and Smit and The American College of Medical Genetics Practice guidelines which states, “Simple sugars are discouraged in favour of a diet higher in complex carbohydrates and protein.”33 Kishnani, PS, Austin, SL, Arn, P. Glycogen storage disease type III diagnosis and management guidelines. Genet Med. 2010;12(7):446–463.,77 Derks, TG, Smit, GP. Dietary management in glycogen storage disease type III: what is the evidence? J Inherit Metab Dis. 2015;38(3):545–550. Families usually understand simple instructions about hypoglycemia treatment. This type of management is well reported and has been central to GSD literature for decades.66 Bhattacharya, K . Dietary dilemmas in the management of glycogen storage disease type I. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2011;34(3):621–629. However, the shift needs to occur from hypoglycemia treatment for prevention by the use of complex carbohydrates with a mixed diet, possibly with relative increases in protein or fat. There are physiological data to indicate that protein does produce gluconeogenic substrates and several reports of rescue by increasing protein use. The amount of increase has not been defined nor has the type of protein. There are insufficient studies to indicate if any individual amino acid has particular benefit. MCT-based diet, the modified Atkins diet, and the administration of therapeutic ketones have also been used in rescue situations. In some of these reports, the premorbid dietary intake is poorly defined.

A prudent approach for KGSD would be to utilize a low GI-based diet, reducing simple sugar use as much as possible. High biological value protein intake of the order of 30% of standard total energy requirements would seem a pragmatic goal for most families to achieve. Further increase in protein, use of fat, MCT with concomitant carbohydrate reduction, or therapeutic ketones could be utilized if further comorbidities are identified.

Funding

  • The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article: Dr Bhattacharya has performed consultancy work for Vitaflo Ltd in 2008.

References

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    Goldstein, J, Austin, S, Kishnani, P, Bali, D. Phosphorylase kinase deficiency. In: Pagon, RA, Bird, TD, Dolan, CR, Stephens, K, Adam, MP, eds. GeneReviews. Seattle, WA: University of Washington, Seattle; 1993.
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    Kishnani, PS, Austin, SL, Arn, P. Glycogen storage disease type III diagnosis and management guidelines. Genet Med. 2010;12(7):446–463.
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    Fernandes, J, Koster, JF, Grose, WF, Sorgedrager, N. Hepatic phosphorylase deficiency. Its differentiation from other hepatic glycogenoses. Arch Dis Child. 1974;49(3):186–191.
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    30 May 2019
  • Date of issue
    2016

History

  • Received
    15 Apr 2016
  • Accepted
    25 Apr 2016
Latin American Society Inborn Errors and Neonatal Screening (SLEIMPN); Instituto Genética para Todos (IGPT) Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, CEP: 90035-903, Porto Alegre, RS - Brasil, Tel.: 55-51-3359-6338, Fax: 55-51-3359-8010 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brazil
E-mail: rgiugliani@hcpa.edu.br