[Nephrogenic anemia and porphyrin biosynthesis]

Porphyrin biosynthesis in erythrocytes, after incubation with delta-aminolevulinic acid (DALA) was studied in 180 patients with renal diseases. A decrease of porphyrin synthesis was confirmed as early as the compensated stage of the disease with normal hematological indices. With the advancement of the renal insufficiency the biosynthesis of porphyrin and porphobilinogen was progressively decreased, as well as the percentage of DALA used in porphyrins synthesis and the activity of porphobilinogen synthesis in erythrocytes, accompanied by a progressive deterioration of the hematological indices. The correlation between the functional state of the kidneys, the indices of porphyrins metabolism and hematological indices in the patients with chronic renal diseases is underlined.