Abstract
THE Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle is the only biochemical pathway for the conversion of ammonia to urea in man (Fig 1). It is known to involve five enzymatic reactions and, so far, four genetically determined disease states have been described, each of which is characterized by a deficiency of one of the urea cycle enzymes.<sup>1</sup>All of these states are associated with varying degrees of hyperammonemia which, as would be expected, are most severe in the disorders of steps 1 and 2, and least severe in argininosuccinic aciduria where it usually occurs only after a protein load. The clinical picture of all these disorders includes a reluctance to eat high protein foods, intermittent ataxia, irritability, lethargy or even coma, and mental retardation. There are several instances in which a low protein diet simultaneously caused clinical improvement and reduction or elimination of hyperammonemia. For this and other reasons, it is likely
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
