Porphobilinogen and δ-Amino Levulinic Acid in Acute Porphyria

Abstract

Summary

Quantitative studies on urine of an acute porphyria patient reveal a daily output of about 100 mg porphobilinogen and about 40 mg of δ-amino levulinate. This high rate of production suggests the possibility that the normal liver may convert these compounds to heme and thus may produce approximately 100-140 mg of heme per day. This heme might be then, the source of the early labelled stercobilin observed by London and by Gray.