THE URINARY/FECAL COPROPORPHYRIN RATIO IN LIVER DISEASE

Abstract
Studies of the ratio of urinary to fecal copro-porphyrin excretion in normal humans established this ratio to vary between 0.3-0.6. In a series of studies done on patients with liver disease, much higher ratios were found, ranging from 0.8-22.0. The highest ratios occurred in those cases exhibiting the most apparent clinical evidence of hepatic insufficiency. Standard methods were used for the extraction of coproporphyrin, and quantitative detns. were done by means of a spectroscopic colorimeter.