METHYLMALONIC ACIDURIA AND VITAMIN B₁₂ DEFICIENCY IN THE RAT

Abstract

Methylmalonic aciduria is a metabolic defect characterized by an ex-cessive excretion of methylmalonic acid in the urine.
The present paper reports the results obtained on rats fed a vitamin B₁₂-deficient diet to which were administered propionate or the amino acids L-valine, L-isoleucine, L-methionine, L-threonine. Detection of metabolites was carried out by gas chromatography. The results obtained showed that besides propionate only L-valine and L-isoleucine cause an increase in the daily excretion of methylmalonic acid, while L-methionine and L-threonine have no effect on the rat.