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Alkaptonuria Research Paper

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Metabolism is a process in which chemicals and enzymes break down food in the digestive system to make energy. The food is converted into simple sugars, energy and amino acids with the help of the mitochondria. A body can use this energy right away or it can store the energy in tissues such as liver, muscles, and body fats. A metabolic disorder happens when something goes wrong with the metabolic process because of abnormal chemical reactions. The metabolic disorder causes some substances to be produced either too much or too little, resulting in unhealthy digestive conditions. Metabolic disorders can affect the breakdown of carbohydrates, lipids, or amino acids. Metabolic disorders can also happen if an enzyme or vitamin required to carry out a chemical reaction goes missing. One of the rarest, inherited metabolic disorders is Alkaptonuria. Alkaptonuria occurs when there is a build up of homogentisic acid (HGA) that causes the urine to turn black when exposed to air. The buildup of HGA gets deposited throughout the body and usually attaches to connective tissues and cartilages …show more content…

The first sign of AKU in an infant is the dark staining of their diapers then as the patient ages homogentisic acid builds up in the connective tissues. A lot of individuals do not excrete black urine because their urine is acidic. Throughout the early years, pigment is still deposited throughout the tissues causing black earwax and dark pigmentation under the arms for kids under the age of ten. Additionally, the homogentisic acid builds up in the cartilage, which is called Ochronosis that can cause pigmentation to be visible in the areas of the sweat glands, eyelids, an forehead, and fingernails. Furthermore, AKU can lead to severe arthritis in the hips knees, shoulder, and the spine. Due to the deposition of pigments, it can lead the patient to risk of heart attacks and kidney

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