Excretion of Organic Phosphorus in Urine.

Abstract

Surprisingly large quantities of organic phosphorus in the urine have been recorded in certain pathological conditions. Amounts approaching 1 gm. in 24 hours have been reported and numerous determinations varying from 0.1 to 0.3 gm. may be found. The excretion of so much organically combined phosphorus would constitute a striking abnormality and would bare careful investigation in the light of recent advances in our knowledge of the rôle played by phosphorus compounds in nerve, muscle, and bone physiology. Several investigators did not note these great quantities of urinary organic phosphorus. However, their studies did not include many pathological conditions. A more extended search was, therefore, made to find instances of such an abnormal state.

The organic phosphorus was separated from the inorganic by treating the urine with Mathison's 1 magnesium citrate mixture. The filtrate was tested for complete precipitation by Scott's 2 reagent and an aliquot digested with sulphuric and nitric acids. The digest was neutralized and prepared for colorimetric readings according to Benedict and Theis. It was unnecessary for the subjects of study to be placed on a specific dietary regimen since it has been found that ingestion of various kinds of organic phosphorus compounds does not increase the organic phosphorus excretion.

The following diseases were included in this study: hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, chronic arthritis, Paget's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, syphilis of central nervous system, tuberculous meningitis, epidemic encephalitis, cardiac decompensation, lobar pneumonia, pulmonary emphysema, psoriasis, dermatitis herpetiformis, obstructive jaundice, carcinomatosis, and Hodgkin's disease. The effects of general anaesthesia and the febrile reactions following intravenous typhoid vaccine were also included. The amount of organic phosphorus excreted in the urine was invariably quite small. The average was 13.4 mg. in 24 hours; the maximum 49 mg.