[Porphyrin excretion in normal (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Porphyrins are crucial in biological systems, with altered excretion linked to various diseases.
• Understanding normal porphyrin metabolism is essential for diagnosing and managing porphyrin-related disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sex and age-related differences in urinary and fecal porphyrin excretion in healthy subjects.
• To establish baseline excretion patterns for coproporphyrins, uroporphyrins, and protoporphyrins.

Main Methods:

• Solvent extraction procedures were employed for porphyrin isolation.
• Thin-layer chromatography of methyl-ester derivatives was used for porphyrin identification and quantification.

Main Results:

• Urinary coproporphyrin levels were significantly higher in adult males compared to females.
• No significant influence of age was observed on urinary coproporphyrin or uroporphyrin fractions within sexes.
• Fecal coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin excretion showed no significant differences between males and females.
• Urinary octo- and heptacarboxylic porphyrins showed sex- and age-dependent variations, particularly in males aged 20-40.

Conclusions:

• Sex is a significant factor influencing urinary coproporphyrin excretion in adults.
• Age does not appear to be a major determinant of porphyrin excretion patterns in healthy individuals.
• Fecal porphyrin profiles are largely unaffected by sex and age in the studied population.