Erythrocyte delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase, urinary porphyrins and porphyrin precursors in iron deficiency anaemia.

In 20 iron deficient patients and 21 normal controls the activity of the enzyme delta-ALA dehydratase of erythrocytes was assayed. In addition the urine porphyrins and porphyrin precursor excretions were measured. It was found that in sideropenic patients the erythrocyte delta-ALA dehydratase activity was almost constantly higher than in normals; the difference of the mean values being statistically significant (p less than 0.005). A significant diminution of delta-ALA (p less than 0.0025) urine excretion was observed, whereas the urine excretion of PBG, CP and UP was found within the normal limits. The results are compared to those reported by other authors.