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Pyrimidine and purine metabolites in ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency

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Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease

Abstract

Detailed biochemical studies have been carried out in a female heterozygote for ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) deficiency. Increased levels of the pyrimidines, orotic acid, uridine and uracil, were observed in plasma as well as urine by utilizing an adaptation of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Urinary clearances of these compounds were high, that of orotic acid indicating net secretion. Urinary uric acid clearance was also elevated, a finding attributed to the uricosuric effect of the orotic acid excreted concomitantly. The results in this child and her family are typical of OCT deficiency. They confirm considerable genetic heterogeneity in the biochemical as well as clinical expression in this defect.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Purine Laboratory, Guy's Hospital, London Bridge, SE1 9RT, London, UK

    D. R. Webster & H. A. Simmonds

  2. Memorial Hospital, Hastings, New Zealand

    D. M. J. Barry

  3. Princess Mary Hospital for Children, Auckland, New Zealand

    D. M. O. Becroft

Authors
  1. D. R. Webster
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  2. H. A. Simmonds
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  3. D. M. J. Barry
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  4. D. M. O. Becroft
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Webster, D.R., Simmonds, H.A., Barry, D.M.J. et al. Pyrimidine and purine metabolites in ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency. J Inherit Metab Dis 4, 27–31 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02263578

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02263578

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