Glycogen in leukocytes from patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

Accumulations of glycogen in leukocytes from patients with hepatic encephalopathy and controls were studied electron-microscopically and biochemically. Extensive glycogen accumulation was observed in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from these patients, the content being 1.5 or 3.4 times higher than in the controls. The absorption spectra of glycogen with an iodine reagent exhibited no difference between patients and controls. Phosphorylasee activity was reduced but acid alpha 1,4-glucosidase activity elevated in the leukocytes from the patients.