Biochemical research in two cases of endogenous pellagra.

Abstract

Our studies were carried out on two patients with clinical symptoms of pellagra. The biochemical results indicated hypoaminoaciduria with markedly increased urinary excretion of indican and a normal blood serotonin. The tryptophan load test was followed by an increased urinary excretion of indican and by a decreased approximately (40–50%) amount of serotonin in the blood. Since our patients had normal dietary foods, the clinical signs could not be of classical pellagra. On the other hand, the absence of hyperaminoaciduria makes diagnosis of Hartnup disease impossible. Therefore, the most probable form seems to be endogenous pellagra.