The metabolic defect in HEREDITARY FRUCTOSE INTOLERANCE is due to deficiency of enzyme:
Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is a genetic disorder. The main issue is the body's inability to metabolize fructose properly. The key enzyme involved here is aldolase B, right? I think that's the one. Because aldolase B is responsible for breaking down fructose-1-phosphate into glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. If that enzyme is deficient, fructose-1-phosphate accumulates, which can be toxic and lead to problems like hypoglycemia and liver damage.
Wait, but what about other enzymes? There's glucose-6-phosphatase, which is involved in gluconeogenesis. But that's more related to von Gierke's disease. Fructokinase deficiency? No, that's not the main issue in HFI. The main problem is aldolase B. The other options might be other enzymes like phosphofructokinase or something else. But I need to be sure. Let me confirm. Yes, aldolase B deficiency is the correct answer. So the correct option would be the one that lists aldolase B. The other options like fructokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, or phosphofructokinase are not the primary enzymes affected in HFI.
The clinical pearl here is that HFI presents with symptoms after fructose ingestion, and it's managed by avoiding fructose and sucrose. The key enzyme is definitely aldolase B. So the correct answer is the option that states aldolase B deficiency. The other options are distractors related to other metabolic disorders. Got it.
**Core Concept**
Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of **aldolase B** in the liver, leading to impaired fructose metabolism. Accumulation of fructose-1-phosphate (F1P) inhibits gluconeogenesis and causes hypoglycemia, hepatotoxicity, and renal failure.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Aldolase B catalyzes the cleavage of fructose-1-phosphate into glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Its deficiency traps fructose-1-phosphate in the liver, depleting ATP and phosphate, causing cellular dysfunction. This blocks gluconeogenesis and leads to severe hypoglycemia, particularly after fructose or sucrose ingestion. Classic symptoms include vomiting, jaundice, and failure to thrive in infants.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Fructokinase deficiency is not linked to HFI; it causes benign fructosuria without clinical symptoms.
**Option B:** Glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency causes von Gierke disease (type I glycogen storage disease), not HFI.
**Option D:** Phosphofructokinase deficiency is associated with glycogen storage disease type VII (Tarui disease), affecting muscle metabolism.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Avoid fructose, sucrose, and sorbitol in patients with HFI to prevent metabolic crisis. Diagnosis is confirmed by detecting aldolase B