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PORPHYRIA SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT BY ALKALINIZATION OF URINE WITH SODIUM BICARBONATE ASSESSED BY EXPERIMENTAL SUCTION BLISTER APPARATUS *
Author(s) -
COPEMAN P. W. MONCKTON
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1970.tb06837.x
Subject(s) - urine , sodium bicarbonate , medicine , porphyria , suction blister , suction , acute intermittent porphyria , bicarbonate , excretion , sodium , anesthesia , chemistry , surgery , mechanical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
Summary— Coproporphyrin but not uroporphyrin is excreted by the kidneys by a pH dependent mechanism. Alkalinization of the urine using 4–6 G. of sodium bicarbonate daily greatly increases the output of coproporphyrin. Three months treatment can be expected to improve the clinical signs of blistering of the skin in cutaneous hepatic porphyria. The coproporphyrin levels in the urine fall rapidly to be followed by the uroporpbyrin. An objective assessment of this improvement can be measured by applying controlled mechanical trauma to the skin using a suction apparatus. Skin fragility is lessened by treatment.