Porphyrin metabolism

Pharmacogenetics

“…There are two principal hypotheses regarding the defect in acute porphyria. One, postulated by Aldrich and his co-workers (Labbe et al 1954), suggests that there is a block in purine biosynthesis due to failure of aminoleevulic acid to provide a substance essential for the myelin of the nervous system. The other, suggested by De Matties & Rimington (1962), visualizes an impairment of acetylcholine synthesis brought about by a restriction of acetyl coA.…”

Enzymes and Drug Sensitivity

“…These patients seem to be the most sensitive of all porphyrics to the exacerbating effect of barbiturates. The strictly cutaneous porphyrias appear, on the other hand, to be influenced very much less, if at all, by barbi- Labbe et al 1954) What, now, can be the biochemical relationship between acute porphyria and its sensitivity to barbiturates? There are two principal hypotheses concerning the metabolic defect in acute porphyria.…”