Simultaneous analysis of urinary metabolites for preliminary identification of primary hyperoxaluria

The primary hyperoxalurias are inherited disorders of glyoxylate metabolism, which cause over-production of oxalate leading to urolithiasis and subsequent renal failure. Other metabolites may be produced in excess in the different forms of PH: glycolate in PH1, glycerate in PH2 and 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate and 2,4-dihydroxyglutarate in PH3. The aim of this study was to set up and validate a method for the simultaneous analysis of these metabolites in urine and to evaluate its use for preliminary identification of primary hyperoxaluria prior to definitive diagnosis by genetic testing.

Urine samples were derivitized by methoximation and silylation and extracted into organic solvent prior to analysis by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

Recovery of the analytes spiked into urine ranged from 91 to 103% and total analytical imprecision ranged from 3.0 to 13.6%. 4-Hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate was unstable in urine at room temperature, and preservation by acidification was required. Mean urinary glycolate, glycerate and 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate or 2,4-dihydroxyglutarate (expressed as a ratio to creatinine) were significantly higher in patients with PH1, PH2 and PH3, respectively. Low 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate was observed in some patients with PH3, probably due to the instability of this analyte, but all PH3 patients had elevated 2,4-dihydroxyglutarate. During five months of routine service, seven cases of PH were identified by this method and subsequently confirmed by gene sequencing including two with novel mutations in HOGA1.

This study confirms that the method is useful in aiding the diagnosis of primary hyperoxaluria and can direct genetic testing.