Amino acid profiles in urine
Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins, which serve to build the body’s tissues and regulate metabolism (as enzymes and hormones). Since amino acids are involved in all biological processes, deficiencies or imbalances in them can lead to disruption of the body’s proper functioning.
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Many inherent errors that affect the transport or metabolism of amino acids have been identified, such as in phenylketonuria and tyrosinemia disorders. Amino acid disorders can occur at any age, but most occur in infancy or early childhood. These disorders result in the accumulation or deficiency of one or more amino acids in biological fluids, which leads to clinical signs and symptoms that characterize each disorder. Assessment of amino acids in urine can help identify the disorder and allow it to recover. Because many vitamins and elements serve as cofactors in amino acid metabolism, problems with them can also indicate disorders in these cofactors.
The clinical picture presented by patients depends on each disorder. In general, sufferers may experience symptoms from the nervous and digestive systems, dermatological findings, delayed physical development as well as mental retardation. If these amino acid disorders are not diagnosed so that they can be treated immediately, the progression of patients is very serious.
In addition, the analysis of amino acids can help to evaluate several acquired disorders such as endocrine, neurological, hepatic, muscular, neoplastic, nutritional problems, renal dysfunction and burns.
Rehabilitation can occur initially through dietary changes. Foods rich in proteins such as meat of any origin (red, poultry, fish), eggs, milk, dairy products etc. vary in the distribution of amino acids in their proteins.
Therefore, the detection of any deficiencies or imbalances in the amino acids of the examinee, can with this analysis direct us to the intake of specific foods or supplements to correct them.
The results of this analysis provide a detailed picture of the profile of 26 amino acids and their derivatives in urine.