ZL Wu

Some enzymopathies of erythrocytes, especially G6PD deficiency, have relatively high incidence in the south part of China. We have engaged in the clinical research of enzymopathy of erythrocytes in Guangzhou for over two decades. Our research can be concluded as follows:

1. Verifying that G6PD deficiency is the main cause of the development of neonatal jaundice in China.

   During 1970s' and the early 1980s', we first reported that about 40% of the jaundiced neonates were G6PD-deficient. In China this is the first research report confirming the relationship between G6PD deficiency and the development of neonatal jaundice.

2. Reporting the accurate incidences of G6PD and PK deficiencies in Chinese.

   In the middle 1980s' we investigated the incidences of G6PD and PK deficiencies in Guangzhou with different laboratory techniques and reported more accurate gene frequencies on the these two enzyme deficiencies.

3. Establishing a new screening test for hexokinase (HK) activity in erythrocytes.

   We created a fluorescent spot test for screening of HK deficiency. This is the only screening test established by Chinese among the available 8 fluorescent spot tests for screening enzyme activities of erythrocytes in the world.

4. Investigating the mechanism of hemolysis caused by G6PD deficiency

   Recent study in our laboratory has focused on the mechanisms of hemolysis and neonatal jaundice caused by G6PD deficiency. The results of our study suggested that decreased generation of NADPH instead of GSH and then enhanced peroxidation of erythrocytes may play an important role in the development of neonatal jaundice.