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Belosevic A, Minder AE, Gueuning M, van Breemen F, Thun GA, Mattle-Greminger MP, Meyer S, Baumer A, Minder EI, Schneider-Yin X, Barman-Aksözen J. First Report of a Low-Frequency Mosaic Mutation in the Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase Gene Causing Acute Intermittent Porphyria. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1889. [PMID: 37763293 PMCID: PMC10533070 DOI: 10.3390/life13091889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute porphyrias are a group of monogenetic inborn errors of heme biosynthesis, characterized by acute and potentially life-threatening neurovisceral attacks upon exposure to certain triggering factors. Biochemical analyses can determine the type of acute porphyria, and subsequent genetic analysis allows for the identification of pathogenic variants in the specific gene, which provides information for family counselling. In 2017, a male Swiss patient was diagnosed with an acute porphyria while suffering from an acute attack. The pattern of porphyrin metabolite excretion in urine, faeces, and plasma was typical for an acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), which is caused by inherited autosomal dominant mutations in the gene for hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS), the third enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway. However, the measurement of HMBS enzymatic activity in the erythrocytes was within the normal range and Sanger sequencing of the HMBS gene failed to detect any pathogenic variants. To explore the molecular basis of the apparent AIP in this patient, we performed third-generation long-read single-molecule sequencing (nanopore sequencing) on a PCR product spanning the entire HMBS gene, including the intronic sequences. We identified a known pathogenic variant, c.77G>A, p.(Arg26His), in exon 3 at an allelic frequency of ~22% in the patient's blood. The absence of the pathogenic variant in the DNA of the parents and the results of additional confirmatory studies supported the presence of a de novo mosaic mutation. To our knowledge, such a mutation has not been previously described in any acute porphyria. Therefore, de novo mosaic mutations should be considered as potential causes of acute porphyrias when no pathogenic genetic variant can be identified through routine molecular diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Belosevic
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna-Elisabeth Minder
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Porphyria and Clinical Nutrition, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Morgan Gueuning
- Department of Research and Development, Blood Transfusion Service Zurich, Swiss Red Cross, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Franziska van Breemen
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gian Andri Thun
- Department of Research and Development, Blood Transfusion Service Zurich, Swiss Red Cross, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Maja P. Mattle-Greminger
- Department of Research and Development, Blood Transfusion Service Zurich, Swiss Red Cross, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Meyer
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Cytometry, Blood Transfusion Service Zurich, Swiss Red Cross, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Baumer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zürich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth I. Minder
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Porphyria and Clinical Nutrition, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Xiaoye Schneider-Yin
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jasmin Barman-Aksözen
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Stadtspital Zürich, Triemli, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Solares I, Castelbón FJ, Enríquez de Salamanca R, Morales-Conejo M. [Diagnosis, evaluation and monitoring of acute hepatic porphyria]. Med Clin (Barc) 2023; 159 Suppl 1:S19-S24. [PMID: 37827888 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Solares
- Unidad de Porfirias, Servicio de Medicina Interna, CSUR de errores congénitos del metabolismo en el adulto, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - Francisco Javier Castelbón
- Unidad de Porfirias, Servicio de Medicina Interna, CSUR de errores congénitos del metabolismo en el adulto, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - Rafael Enríquez de Salamanca
- Unidad de Porfirias, Servicio de Medicina Interna, CSUR de errores congénitos del metabolismo en el adulto, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - Montserrat Morales-Conejo
- Unidad de Porfirias, Servicio de Medicina Interna, CSUR de errores congénitos del metabolismo en el adulto, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España; Grupo de Enfermedades Mitocondriales y Neuromusculares, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, España.
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Savino M, Guida CC, Nardella M, Murgo E, Augello B, Merla G, De Cosmo S, Savino AF, Tarquini R, Cei F, Aucella F, Mazzoccoli G. Circadian Genes Expression Patterns in Disorders Due to Enzyme Deficiencies in the Heme Biosynthetic Pathway. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123198. [PMID: 36551954 PMCID: PMC9775071 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Heme is a member of the porphyrins family of cyclic tetrapyrroles and influences various cell processes and signalling pathways. Enzyme deficiencies in the heme biosynthetic pathway provoke rare human inherited metabolic diseases called porphyrias. Protein levels and activity of enzymes involved in the heme biosynthetic pathway and especially 5'-Aminolevulinate Synthase 1 are featured by 24-h rhythmic oscillations driven by the biological clock. Heme biosynthesis and circadian pathways intermingle with mutual modulatory roles. Notably, heme is a ligand of important cogs of the molecular clockwork, which upon heme binding recruit co-repressors and inhibit the transcription of numerous genes enriching metabolic pathways and encoding functional proteins bringing on crucial cell processes. Herein, we assessed mRNA levels of circadian genes in patients suffering from porphyrias and found several modifications of core clock genes and clock-controlled genes expression, associated with metabolic and electrolytic changes. Overall, our results show an altered expression of circadian genes accompanying heme biosynthesis disorders and confirm the need to deepen the knowledge of the mechanisms through which the alteration of the circadian clock circuitry could take part in determining signs and symptoms of porphyria patients and then again could represent a target for innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Savino
- Interregional Reference Center for Porphyria, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Claudio Carmine Guida
- Interregional Reference Center for Porphyria, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Nephrology, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Maria Nardella
- Interregional Reference Center for Porphyria, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Nephrology, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Murgo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine and Chronobiology Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Bartolomeo Augello
- Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merla
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University, 80121 Naples, Italy
- Laboratory of Regulatory and Functional Genomics, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Salvatore De Cosmo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine and Chronobiology Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Antonio Fernando Savino
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Roberto Tarquini
- Division of Internal Medicine I, Regional Reference Center for Porphyria, San Giuseppe Hospital, 50053 Empoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Cei
- Division of Internal Medicine I, Regional Reference Center for Porphyria, San Giuseppe Hospital, 50053 Empoli, Italy
| | - Filippo Aucella
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Nephrology, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Mazzoccoli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine and Chronobiology Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +39-08-8241-0255
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Liu J, Yin J, Yuan H, Zhao Y, Luo S, Li F. 1O2-activatable Eu3+-afterglow nanoprobe for highly sensitive detection of porphyria in whole blood. J RARE EARTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jre.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Di Pierro E, De Canio M, Mercadante R, Savino M, Granata F, Tavazzi D, Nicolli AM, Trevisan A, Marchini S, Fustinoni S. Laboratory Diagnosis of Porphyria. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081343. [PMID: 34441276 PMCID: PMC8391404 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Porphyrias are a group of diseases that are clinically and genetically heterogeneous and originate mostly from inherited dysfunctions of specific enzymes involved in heme biosynthesis. Such dysfunctions result in the excessive production and excretion of the intermediates of the heme biosynthesis pathway in the blood, urine, or feces, and these intermediates are responsible for specific clinical presentations. Porphyrias continue to be underdiagnosed, although laboratory diagnosis based on the measurement of metabolites could be utilized to support clinical suspicion in all symptomatic patients. Moreover, the measurement of enzymatic activities along with a molecular analysis may confirm the diagnosis and are, therefore, crucial for identifying pre-symptomatic carriers. The present review provides an overview of the laboratory assays used most commonly for establishing the diagnosis of porphyria. This would assist the clinicians in prescribing appropriate diagnostic testing and interpreting the testing results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Di Pierro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0255036155
| | - Michele De Canio
- Porphyria and Rare Diseases Centre, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rosa Mercadante
- EPIGET-Epidemiology, Epigenetics, and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.M.); (D.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Maria Savino
- Servizio di Medicina Trasfusionale e Laboratorio Analisi, Laboratorio di Immunogenetica, IRCCS Ospedale “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy;
| | - Francesca Granata
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Dario Tavazzi
- EPIGET-Epidemiology, Epigenetics, and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.M.); (D.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Anna Maria Nicolli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cardio-Toraco-Vascolari e Sanità Pubblica, Università Degli Studi di Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (A.M.N.); (A.T.)
| | - Andrea Trevisan
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cardio-Toraco-Vascolari e Sanità Pubblica, Università Degli Studi di Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (A.M.N.); (A.T.)
| | - Stefano Marchini
- Laboratorio Malattie Rare-Settore Porfirie, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche, Materno-Infantili e Dell’Adulto, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico di Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Silvia Fustinoni
- EPIGET-Epidemiology, Epigenetics, and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.M.); (D.T.); (S.F.)
- Environmental and Industrial Toxicology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
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Yuan H, Guo L, Su Q, Su X, Wen Y, Wang T, Yang P, Xu M, Li F. Afterglow Amplification for Fast and Sensitive Detection of Porphyria in Whole Blood. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:27991-27998. [PMID: 34110123 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c08518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Porphyria is a group of genetic photodermatoses that cause too much porphyrin to accumulate in the blood, skin, and liver, resulting in skin photosensitivity and damage, liver disease, or potential liver failure. Conventional detection methods include high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence spectrometry. However, these methods usually require complicated pretreatment and time-consuming processes. Therefore, efficient and fast detection of porphyria is urgently needed. Herein, we develop a molecular afterglow reporter-based sensing scheme for the detection of porphyrins in whole blood. The afterglow reporter can respond to the production of singlet oxygen (1O2) of porphyrins after light excitation, and the detection signals can be amplified through adjusting the amount of singlet oxygen and afterglow reporter molecules. Moreover, without the use of a real-time excitation source, afterglow signals can avoid the scattering and autofluorescence interference in biological samples, thereby reducing background noise. More importantly, we prove the applicability of the afterglow reporter in the quantitative detection of porphyrins in whole blood and demonstrate its great clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yuan
- Department of Chemistry & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Linna Guo
- Department of Chemistry & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Qianqian Su
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xianlong Su
- Department of Chemistry & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Yue Wen
- Department of Chemistry & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Pengyuan Yang
- Department of Chemistry & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Chemistry & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Fuyou Li
- Department of Chemistry & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
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Baumann K, Kauppinen R. Penetrance and predictive value of genetic screening in acute porphyria. Mol Genet Metab 2020; 130:87-99. [PMID: 32067921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Penetrance, predictive value and female patients' perspectives on genetic testing were evaluated among Finnish patients with acute porphyria. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate prognosis among at-risk female family members depending on the primary method of diagnosis. METHODS The penetrance was calculated among 23 genetically heterogeneous families selected from the Finnish porphyria registry (n = 515, AIP 333; VP 182). We included kindreds with ≥9 patients in a family (range 9-23 patients, total 216 AIP; 129 VP). In 2015, the registry included 164 living female subjects between 14 and 85 years of age. A questionnaire was sent to 143 women, of whom 107 (75%, AIP 67; VP 40) replied. Female at-risk relatives (AIP 54; VP 30) were divided into two groups based on the primary method of diagnosis: mutation analysis (Group A, n = 40) or biochemical analysis (Group B, n = 44). RESULTS Mean penetrance for all acute symptoms was 35% among AIP and 40% among VP families. In both study groups, the penetrance was higher among female (AIP 50%; VP 44%) than male patients (AIP 17%; VP 33%). Penetrance for hospitalized attacks was 30% among AIP families (range 10-80%, for women 41%) and 25% in VP (range 0-50%, for women 27%) demonstrating wide variations among families even with the similar genotype. Acute porphyria was diagnosed at the median age of 26 years (range 0-76 years) among female patients, commonly after the onset of acute symptoms. Diagnostic delay was an average of 7.4 years (range 1-30 years). Acute symptoms occurred at the median age of 24 years (range 10-57 years) and the first hospitalization at the median age of 26.5 years (range 15-57 years). At the onset of symptoms, 38% of the women were ≤ 20 years of age. According to the life table analysis, acute attacks occurred mainly during the following five years after the diagnosis and the attack risk diminished after 35 years of age. The annual risk for hospitalization due to an acute attack during fertile years was lower in Group A than Group B (0.002 vs. 0.010, p = .018), but the risk of all subsequent acute symptoms did not diminish (Group A 0.017 vs. Group B 0.019, p = .640). The cumulative risk of acute symptoms among asymptomatic patients at the time of diagnosis was 26.7% for Group A and 58.3% for Group B. The cumulative risk of the first subsequent attack requiring hospitalization after the diagnosis among all at-risk relatives was similarly less frequent in Group A than in Group B (OR 0.180; 95% CI 0.041-0.789, p = .041). If attacks were followed among symptomatic patients only, attack-free years were more frequent in Group A than in Group B. Patients preferred genetic screening before puberty to minimize the risk of acute symptoms and genetic discrimination was rare. 44% of the patients reported social, psychological or physical impairment due to acute hepatic porphyria, emphasizing the importance of supporting patients' emotional and resilience capacity. CONCLUSIONS Among female at-risk relatives the annual risk for hospitalization due to an acute attack is <1% and for acute symptoms <2% during the fertile years. Genetic testing of relatives diminishes the risk of acute attacks. Diagnosis before symptom onset is key for subjects to remain asymptomatic during follow-up, and genetic screening should be done earlier than currently.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Baumann
- Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Finland; Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Finland
| | - R Kauppinen
- Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Finland.
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Balwani M. Erythropoietic Protoporphyria and X-Linked Protoporphyria: pathophysiology, genetics, clinical manifestations, and management. Mol Genet Metab 2019; 128:298-303. [PMID: 30704898 PMCID: PMC6656624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked Protoporphyria (XLP) are rare, genetic photodermatoses resulting from defects in enzymes of the heme-biosynthetic pathway. EPP results from the partial deficiency of ferrochelatase, and XLP results from gain-of-function mutations in erythroid specific ALAS2. Both disorders result in the accumulation of erythrocyte protoporphyrin, which is released in the plasma and taken up by the liver and vascular endothelium. The accumulated protoporphyrin is activated by sunlight exposure, generating singlet oxygen radical reactions leading to tissue damage and excruciating pain. About 2-5% of patients develop clinically significant liver dysfunction due to protoporphyrin deposition in bile and/or hepatocytes which can advance to cholestatic liver failure requiring transplantation. Clinically these patients present with acute, severe, non-blistering phototoxicity within minutes of sun-exposure. Anemia is seen in about 47% of patients and about 27% of patients will develop abnormal serum aminotransferases. The diagnosis of EPP and XLP is made by detection of markedly increased erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels with a predominance of metal-free protoporphyrin. Genetic testing by sequencing the FECH or ALAS2 gene confirms the diagnosis. Treatment is limited to sun-protection and there are no currently available FDA-approved therapies for these disorders. Afamelanotide, a synthetic analogue of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone was found to increase pain-free sun exposure and improve quality of life in adults with EPP. It has been approved for use in the European Union since 2014 and is not available in the U.S. In addition to the development of effective therapeutics, future studies are needed to establish the role of iron and the risks related to the development of hepatopathy in these patients.
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MESH Headings
- 5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase/genetics
- Anemia/etiology
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Dermatitis, Phototoxic
- Disease Management
- Genes, X-Linked
- Heme/metabolism
- Humans
- Liver Diseases/etiology
- Liver Diseases/physiopathology
- Porphyrias, Hepatic/complications
- Porphyrias, Hepatic/genetics
- Porphyrias, Hepatic/physiopathology
- Porphyrias, Hepatic/therapy
- Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic/complications
- Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic/genetics
- Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic/physiopathology
- Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Balwani
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States.
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Anderson KE. Acute hepatic porphyrias: Current diagnosis & management. Mol Genet Metab 2019; 128:219-227. [PMID: 31311713 PMCID: PMC6911835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Each of the four acute hepatic porphyrias is due to mutation of an enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway. The accumulation of pathway intermediates that occur most notably when these diseases are active is the basis for screening and establishing a biochemical diagnosis of these rare disorders. Measurement of enzyme activities and especially DNA testing also are important for diagnosis. Suspicion of the diagnosis and specific testing, particularly measurement of urinary porphobilinogen, are often delayed because the symptoms are nonspecific, even when severe. Urinary porphyrins are also measured, but their elevation is much less specific. If porphobilinogen is elevated, second line testing will establish the type of acute porphyria. DNA testing identifies the familial mutation and enables screening of family members. Management includes removal of triggering factors whenever possible. Intravenous hemin is the most effective treatment for acute attacks. Carbohydrate loading is sometimes used for mild attacks. Cyclic attacks, if frequent, can be prevented by a GnRH analogue. Frequent noncyclic attacks are sometime preventable by scheduled (e.g. weekly) hemin infusions. Long term complications may include chronic pain, renal impairment and liver cancer. Other treatments, including RNA interference, are under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl E Anderson
- The University of Texas Medical Branch, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health and Internal Medicine, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1109, United States of America.
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Borrero Corte MJ, Jara Rubio F, Morán Jiménez MJ, Díaz Díaz S, Castelbón Fernandez FJ, García Pastor I, Enríquez de Salamanca R, Méndez M. Molecular analysis of 19 Spanish patients with mixed porphyrias. Eur J Med Genet 2018; 62:103589. [PMID: 30476629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2018.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Porphyrias are rare diseases caused by alterations in the heme biosynthetic pathway. Depending on the afected enzyme, porphyrin precursors or porphyrins are overproduced, causing acute neurovisceral attacks or dermal photosensitivity, respectively. Hereditary Coproporphyria (HCP) and Variegate Porphyria (VP) are mixed porphyrias since they can present acute and/or cutaneous symptoms. These diseases are caused by a deficiency of coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPOX) in HCP, and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX) in VP. Herein, we studied nineteen unrelated Spanish patients with mixed porphyrias. The diagnosis of either, HCP or VP was made on the basis of clinical symptoms, biochemical findings and the identification of the mutation responsible in the CPOX or PPOX genes. Two patients presented both acute and cutaneous symptoms. In most patients, the biochemical data allowed the diagnosis. Among eleven patients with HCP, ten CPOX mutations were identified, including six novel ones: two frameshift (c.32delG and c.1102delC), two nonsense (p.Cys239Ter and p.Tyr365Ter), one missense (p.Trp275Arg) and one amino acid deletion (p.Gly336del). Moreover, seven previously described PPOX mutations were identified in eight patients with VP. The impacts of CPOX mutations p.Trp275Arg and p.Gly336del, were evaluated using prediction softwares and their functional consequences were studied in a prokaryotic expression system. Both alterations were predicted as deleterious by in silico analysis. Aditionally, when these alleles were expressed in E. coli, only p.Trp275Arg retained some residual activity. These results emphasize the usefulness of integrated the biochemical tests and molecular studies in the diagnosis. Furthermore, they extend knowledge on the molecular heterogeneity of mixed porphyrias in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Silvia Díaz Díaz
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Manuel Méndez
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
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11
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Functional Characterization of Five Protoporphyrinogen oxidase Missense Mutations Found in Argentinean Variegate Porphyria Patients. JIMD Rep 2011. [PMID: 23430901 DOI: 10.1007/8904_2011_77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] Open
Abstract
A partial deficiency in protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX) produces the acute/cutaneous (or mixed) variegate porphyria (VP), the third most frequent porphyria in Argentina. This autosomal dominant disorder is clinically characterized by skin lesions and/or acute neurovisceral attacks. The precise diagnosis of patients with a symptomatic VP is essential to provide accurate treatment. It is also critical to identify asymptomatic relatives to avoid precipitating factors and prevent acute attacks.Functional consequences of five PPOX missense mutations were evaluated in a prokaryotic expression system. Three mutations were found in families previously reported c.101A>T (p.E34V), c.670T>G (W224G), c.995G>C (G332A) and two were novel findings c.227C>T (p.S76F), c.1265A>G (p.Y422C). All mutations were identified in heterozygotes with reduced PPOX activity and variable clinical expression of the disease, including asymptomatic cases. Prokaryotic expression showed that all five missense mutations decreased the PPOX activity, demonstrating their detrimental effect on enzyme function, and thus, providing evidence for their causative role in VP. These results reinforce the importance of molecular genetic analysis for VP diagnosis and especially the usefulness of prokaryotic expression of missense mutations to assess their deleterious effect on PPOX activity.MM and BXG contributed equally to the publication. RES and MVR share senior authorship.
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12
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Horkay I, Emri G, Varga V, Simics E, Remenyik E. Environmental dermatology in childhood: photosensitivity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.2217/17455111.2.6.749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, sunlight-induced damage of healthy human skin, including skin malignancies and a large scale of photodermatoses representing a diverse group of diseases, have increased in childhood as a result of unfavorable environmental changes. This article yields an overview of the diagnosis, the clinical features and the treatment of these conditions and disorders and also reveals perspectives. Some diseases are more frequent in the pediatric population than in adulthood, whereas others heal spontaneously during adolescence and vice versa. The majority of cases are idiopathic photodermatoses, mainly polymorphic light eruption. Photosensitivity may be an early symptom of genetic disorders, such as porphyria, or very rare genophotodermatoses. Photosensitivity, secondary to topical or systemic external agents as well as photoexacerbated dermatoses, is not so frequent in childhood. Effective photoprotection is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Horkay
- Department of Dermatology, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Emri
- Department of Dermatology, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Viktoria Varga
- Department of Dermatology, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Eniko Simics
- Department of Dermatology, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Eva Remenyik
- Department of Dermatology, University of Debrecen, Hungary
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13
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Abstract
Recent advances in the molecular understanding of the porphyrias now offer specific diagnosis and precise definition of the types of genetic mutations involved in the disease. Molecular diagnostic testing is powerful and very useful in kindred evaluation and genetic counselling when a disease-responsible mutation has been identified in the family. It is also the only way to properly screen asymptomatic gene carriers, facilitating correct treatment and appropriate genetic counselling of family members at risk. However, it should be noted that DNA-based testing is for the diagnosis of the gene carrier status, but not for the diagnosis of clinical syndrome or severity of the disease, e.g. an acute attack. For the diagnosis of clinically expressed porphyrias, a logical stepwise approach including the analysis of porphyrins and their precursors should not be underestimated, as it is still very useful, and is often the best from the cost-effective point of view.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Disease
- Chronic Disease
- Coproporphyria, Hereditary/diagnosis
- Coproporphyria, Hereditary/therapy
- Heme/biosynthesis
- Humans
- Porphobilinogen Synthase/metabolism
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda/diagnosis
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda/therapy
- Porphyria, Erythropoietic/diagnosis
- Porphyria, Erythropoietic/therapy
- Porphyria, Hepatoerythropoietic/diagnosis
- Porphyria, Hepatoerythropoietic/therapy
- Porphyria, Variegate/diagnosis
- Porphyria, Variegate/therapy
- Porphyrias/classification
- Porphyrias/diagnosis
- Porphyrias/therapy
- Porphyrias, Hepatic/diagnosis
- Porphyrias, Hepatic/therapy
- Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic/diagnosis
- Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Sassa
- Laboratory of Biochemical Hematology, The Rockefeller University, New York 10021, USA.
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14
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Hift RJ, Davidson BP, van der Hooft C, Meissner DM, Meissner PN. Plasma Fluorescence Scanning and Fecal Porphyrin Analysis for the Diagnosis of Variegate Porphyria: Precise Determination of Sensitivity and Specificity with Detection of Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase Mutations as a Reference Standard. Clin Chem 2004; 50:915-23. [PMID: 14976149 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2003.025213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractBackground: Variegate porphyria (VP) is the autosomal dominant disorder associated with deficiency of the enzyme protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX). Plasma fluorescence scanning has been reported to be a more sensitive test for VP than traditional fecal chromatography. Previous comparisons of these techniques predated identification of the PPOX gene. We assessed these techniques in a large group of patients characterized for VP at the DNA level.Methods: We evaluated all patients for whom the genotype and a plasma scan or fecal porphyrin result were available. Mutations were detected by restriction digest analysis. Plasma fluorescence scanning was conducted according to published methods. Fecal porphyrins were identified and quantified by thin-layer chromatography.Results: Plasma fluorescence scanning was assessed in 679 patients (205 with VP who were carriers of a PPOX mutation, either with disease symptoms or asymptomatic) and fecal analysis in 473 (190 with VP). Sensitivity and specificity of both tests were higher in adults than in children and higher for adults with disease symptoms than for asymptomatic carriers. In a direct comparison in 168 adults (73 with VP), plasma scanning was significantly more sensitive than fecal porphyrin analysis [sensitivity, 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.89–0.99) vs 0.77 (0.66–0.85)]. Fecal coproporphyrin [area under the curve, 0.87 (0.83–0.90)] was a better predictor of VP than protoporphyrin [0.80 (0.76–0.84)].Conclusions: Plasma scanning is a more sensitive and specific test for VP than fecal porphyrin analysis. Neither test is sensitive in children, and both are less sensitive in asymptomatic carriers than in symptomatic cases. DNA analysis therefore remains the preferred method for the identification of carriers, particularly in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Hift
- Lennox Eales Porphyria Laboratories, Medical Research Council/University of Cape Town Liver Research Centre, Observatory, South Africa.
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15
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von und zu Fraunberg M, Timonen K, Mustajoki P, Kauppinen R. Clinical and biochemical characteristics and genotype-phenotype correlation in Finnish variegate porphyria patients. Eur J Hum Genet 2002; 10:649-57. [PMID: 12357337 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2001] [Revised: 06/18/2002] [Accepted: 06/19/2002] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Variegate porphyria (VP) is an inherited metabolic disease resulting from the partial deficiency of protoporphyrinogen oxidase, the penultimate enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway. We have evaluated the clinical and biochemical outcome of 103 Finnish VP patients diagnosed between 1966 and 2001. Fifty-two per cent of patients had experienced clinical symptoms: 40% had photosensitivity, 27% acute attacks and 14% both manifestations. The proportion of patients with acute attacks has decreased dramatically from 38 to 14% in patients diagnosed before and after 1980, whereas the prevalence of skin symptoms had decreased only subtly from 45 to 34%. We have studied the correlation between PPOX genotype and clinical outcome of 90 patients with the three most common Finnish mutations I12T, R152C and 338G-->C. The patients with the I12T mutation experienced no photosensitivity and acute attacks were rare (8%). Therefore, the occurrence of photosensitivity was lower in the I12T group compared to the R152C group (P=0.001), whereas no significant differences between the R152C and 338G-->C groups could be observed. Biochemical abnormalities were significantly milder suggesting a milder form of the disease in patients with the I12T mutation. In all VP patients, normal excretion of protoporphyrin in faeces in adulthood predicted freedom from both skin symptoms and acute attacks. The most valuable test predicting an increased risk of symptoms was urinary coproporphyrin, but only a substantially increased excretion exceeding 1,000 nmol/day was associated with an increased risk of both skin symptoms and acute attacks. All patients with an excretion of more than 1,000 nmol/day experienced either skin symptoms, acute attacks, or both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikael von und zu Fraunberg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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16
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Mamet R, Sztern M, Rachmel A, Stahl B, Flusser D, Schoenfeld N. Lead Poisoning: A New Biochemical Perspective on the Differentiation Between Acquired and Hereditary Neuroporphyria. Clin Chem 2001. [DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/47.9.1710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rivka Mamet
- Porphyria Reference Laboratory, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, Israel 49100
| | - Mario Sztern
- Emergency Department, Sapir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel 44281
| | - Avinoam Rachmel
- Department of Pediatrics A, Schneider Children’s Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel 49202
| | - Bracha Stahl
- Drug Information Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Israel 49100
| | - Daniel Flusser
- Department of Medicine D, Soroka University Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel 84101
| | - Nili Schoenfeld
- Porphyria Reference Laboratory, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, Israel 49100
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 69978
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17
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To differentiate the porphyrias by clinical and biochemical methods. DESIGN AND METHODS We describe levels of blood, urine, and fecal porphyrins and their precursors in the porphyrias and present an algorithm for their biochemical differentiation. Diagnoses were established using clinical and biochemical data. Porphyrin analyses were performed by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Plasma and urine porphyrin patterns were useful for diagnosis of porphyria cutanea tarda, but not the acute porphyrias. Erythropoietic protoporphyria was confirmed by erythrocyte protoporphyrin assay and erythrocyte fluorescence. Acute intermittent porphyria was diagnosed by increases in urine delta-aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen and confirmed by reduced erythrocyte porphobilinogen deaminase activity and normal or near-normal stool porphyrins. Variegate porphyria and hereditary coproporphyria were diagnosed by their characteristic stool porphyrin patterns. This appears to be the most convenient diagnostic approach until molecular abnormalities become more extensively defined and more widely available.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Hindmarsh
- Division of Biochemistry, The Ottawa Hospital and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Abstract
Abstract
Background: As an aid in the diagnosis and management of porphyria we have developed a method to fractionate and quantify plasma porphyrins and have evaluated its use in various porphyrias.
Methods: We used HPLC with fluorometric detection to measure plasma concentrations of uroporphyrin I and III, heptacarboxyl III, hexacarboxyl III, pentacarboxyl III, and coproporphyrin I and III. We studied 245 healthy subjects, 32 patients with classical porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), 12 patients with PCT of renal failure, 13 patients with renal failure, 8 patients with pseudoporphyria of renal failure, 3 patients with acute intermittent porphyria, 5 patients with variegate porphyria, 5 patients with hereditary coproporphyria, and 4 patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Results: Between-run CVs were 5.4–13%. The recoveries of porphyrins added to plasma were 71–114% except for protoporphyrin, which could not be reliably measured with this technique. Plasma porphyrin patterns clearly identified PCT, and its clinical sensitivity equaled that of urine porphyrin fractionation. The patterns also allowed differentiation of PCT of renal failure from pseudoporphyria of renal failure.
Conclusions: The assay of plasma porphyrins identifies patients with PCT and appears particularly useful for differentiating PCT of renal failure from pseudoporphyria of renal failure.
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19
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Zuijderhoudt FM, Dorresteijn-de Bok J. Comparison of the Bio-Rad Porphyrin Column Test with a simple spectrophotometric test for total urine porphyrin concentration. Ann Clin Biochem 1998; 35 ( Pt 3):418-21. [PMID: 9635109 DOI: 10.1177/000456329803500312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We compared two screening methods for increased urine porphyrin concentration and compared the results with a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The screening methods were the Bio-Rad (Porphyrin) Column Test and a simple spectrophotometric method. Results were obtained for urines with three different porphyrin patterns. Both screening methods were easy to perform. The accuracy and precision of the spectrophotometric method were both slightly better than that of the Bio-Rad Column Test. Recovery measurements in samples with different porphyrin patterns varied between 73% and 59% (n = 12) for the spectrophotometric method and between 82% and 116% (n = 12) for the Bio-Rad Column Test as compared to HPLC. Between batch precision measurements revealed coefficients of variation for spectrophotometric and Bio-Rad methods for 2%-4% and 4%-10%, respectively. The recovery of the porphyrins illustrates the Bio-Rad Column Test to be more susceptible to variation in urine porphyria composition. Both methods will show satisfactory results in cases of overt porphyria because of the high urine porphyrin concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Zuijderhoudt
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Deventer Ziekenhuis, The Netherlands
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Moore
- Porphyrias Service, University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology, Coopers Plains, Australia
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21
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Da Silva V, Simonin S, Deybach JC, Puy H, Nordmann Y. Variegate porphyria: diagnostic value of fluorometric scanning of plasma porphyrins. Clin Chim Acta 1995; 238:163-8. [PMID: 7586575 DOI: 10.1016/0009-8981(95)06085-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Variegate porphyria (VP) is a dominantly inherited acute hepatic porphyria characterized by a 50% decrease in activity of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PO) which catalyses the last step of heme biosynthesis. In VP families, most of the gene carriers are asymptomatic but at risk of developing acute attacks if subjected to precipitating factors. Recognition of the carrier status is the first step of an efficient preventive care. This could be achieved by measurement of PO activity which is a sensitive and specific but tedious method. A specific plasma fluorometric emission at 626 nm has been shown in VP patients. Here we show that this simple and inexpensive method is specific but poorly sensitive, especially in detection of asymptomatic carriers. We conclude that this procedure should not replace PO activity measurement in VP family studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Da Silva
- Centre Français des Porphyries, INSERM U.409, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France
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22
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Technical Report. Clin Chem Lab Med 1995. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm.1995.33.7.453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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