CONCENTRATION OF GALACTOSE BY LEUCOCYTES

Leucocytes suspended in native plasma took up galactose and held it within the cells at a concentration 3–6 times greater than that in the plasma. Conversion to galactose-1-phosphate, uridinediphosphogalactose, and other, unidentified compounds occurred. The accumulation of galactose was not impaired in diabetes, and was not influenced by insulin. It was increased by iodoacetate. Cyanide at low concentrations caused an increase in the concentration of galactose-1-phosphate and uridinediphosphogalactose; at higher concentrations, it decreased the concentration of galactose and all metabolites. Phloridzin decreased the accumulation of galactose.