STUDIES IN PARA-AMINOHIPPURIC ACID SYNTHESIS IN THE HUMAN: ITS APPLICATION AS A LIVER FUNCTION TEST

Abstract

Following an oral dose of 3 g. of Na p-aminobenzoate, serum samples were analyzed colorimetrical-ly for total p-aminobenzoic acid (PAB) + p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) and for PAH after ether extraction of PAB. The percent of the total in the form of PAH in the serum at 1 hr. varied inversely with the total PAB + PAH in a consistent manner in 60 normal human subjects, thus establishing a normal mean PAH synthesis. Values for PAH synthesis were markedly reduced in 13 patients with primary liver disease and decreased in 21 with lesser de-. grees of hepatic involvement. PAH synthesis was increased in a consistent manner in normal subjects fed 5 g. glycine with the standard dose of PAB. There was an increase in synthesis in patients with liver disease but the values again were markedly reduced in terms of percent of the normal "glycine" mean.