ACETYLATION STUDIES IN HUMAN SUBJECTS WITH METABOLIC DISORDERS 1

Abstract

As the dose of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) was increased in normal subjects and in patients with various metabolic diseases, the % excreted in acetylated form decreased. Normal subjects given a standard dose of 500 mg. PABA acetylated 88+1.9%. Patients with severe liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, sprue and leukemia showed normal acetylation. In hyperthyroidism the capacity to acetylate was diminished but usually returned to normal when the hyperthyroidism was controlled, with the rise in serum cholesterol. In 2 hyperthyroid patients the capacity to acetylate was increased by admn. of Na acetate. Probably there is a rapid utilization of available acetate in this disease and this decreases the ability to acetylate.