Porphyrin studies in chronic renal failure and renal transplantation.

Haemoglobin (Hb), free erythrocyte porphyrins (FEPs), protoporphyrin and haem contents as well as delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-dehydrase activity were estimated in blood samples from patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), from those with renal transplantation, and from healthy control subjects. In CRF patients a highly elevated FEPs level and a significantly increased protoporphyrin concentration were found. A well-defined decrease was observed in the mean value of ALA-dehydrase activity, Hb and haem contents when compared to the control values. However, in patients with renal transplantation significant decreases were observed in Hb and haem concentrations while the ALA-dehydrase activity and the FEPs and protoporphyrin concentrations were approximately at the control levels.