Energy Metabolism of Human Leukemic Lymphocytes and Granulocytes

1. Leukocytes taken from patients having acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are characterized by high respiratory rates and low to absent aerobic glycolysis. Leukemic granulocytes have low respiratory rates and high aerobic glycolysis.

2. Lymphocytes and granulocytes have the capacity for high glycolytic rates under anaerobic conditions.

3. Lymphocyte respiration is independent of glucose concentration in contrast to granulocyte respiration.

4. High energy phosphate levels of lymphocytes and granulocytes are unchanged if these cells are incubated aerobically, either with or without glucose, or anaerobically in the presence of glucose.

5. Aerobic glycolysis can be induced in lymphocytes by the addition of foreign plasma. Foreign plasma may also alter granulocyte metabolism.