title: Chenodeoxycholic acid therapy in erythrohepatic protoporphyria.
abstract: The short-term effect of chenodeoxycholic acid administration on the excretion of protoporphyrin was investigated in 5 patients suffering from erythrohepatic protoporphyria. Faeces were collected for 7 days, 10 ml of bile was sampled daily and blood was drawn every 2 to 3 days. Chenodeoxycholic acid was given in a dosage of 15 mg/kg/day from the 8th day. Collection of faeces, bile and blood was then continued for 10 more days. Protoporphyrin concentration was measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography and fluorometry. Following the administration of chenodeoxycholic acid the concentration of protoporphyrin in faeces and bile decreased significantly. In addition, all patients showed a significant decrease in erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration. These results indicate that chenodeoxycholic acid therapy causes a marked decrease in the excretion of protoporphyrin in patients with erythrohepatic protoporphyria. The subsequent decrease in erythrocyte protoporphyrin suggests that chenodeoxycholic acid inhibits the production of protoporphyrin in the liver.
mesh_terms: D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011166:Porphyrins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid