[Chronic nephritis--porphyrin biosynthesis and nephrogenic anemia]

Disturbances in the biosynthesis of porphyrins in erythrocytes were investigated in 50 patients with chronic nephritis after incubation with delta-aminolevulinic acid. A medium to strong correlation was found among the parameters of porphyrin metabolism and those of haemoglobin synthesis and the functional state of the kidneys. This gives rise to the assumption that the disturbances in porphyrin biosynthesis are to be classified among the pathogenetic mechanisms of anaemia in the course of chronic nephritis.