ALCOHOL-INDUCED CHANGES IN URINARY AMINOLEVULINIC ACID AND PORPHYRINS- UNRELATED TO LIVER-DISEASE

Urinary porphyrins and their metabolites aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PEG) were determined in 15 normal volunteers and in 45 alcoholics, subdivided into three groups according to their liver f unction tests and histology: alcoholics exhibiting no evidence of hepa tocellular damage; alcoholics with fatty liver and impaired function o f liver enzymes; and alcoholics with proven liver cirrhosis. The domin ant trend observed in those alcoholics devoid of any evidence of liver disease was increased ALA, PEG, and uroporphyrin. Coproporphyrinuria was shared by the patients exhibiting liver damage. The data shown ena bled us to differentiate between the direct, primary ef feet of alcoho l on the heme biosynthetic pathway and the secondary indirect ef feet, which is probably related to liver damage that follows alcohol consum ption. Evaluation of the results led to the suggestion that urinary AL A could possibly serve as a marker of alcoholism. The specificity and sensitivity of the test were found to be 87% and 80%, respectively.