Comparison of urinary amino acids and trace elements (copper, zinc and manganese) of recent neurolathyrism patients and healthy controls from Ethiopia

Objective:The irreversibly crippling disease neurolathyrism is caused by prolonged over-consumption of Lathyrus sativus seed. The molecular mechanism of toxicity is unclear and more biochemical information is needed.Methods:The urinary amino acids from 5 recent patients and 9 healthy subjects in Ethiopia were analysed by HPLC after PITC (phenyl isothiocyanate) derivatisation. The trace elements Cu, Zn and Mn of urine and seeds were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy.Results:The free amino acids aspartic acid, glycine, β-aminoisobutyric acid, arginine, α-aminoadipic acid and phenylalanine were statistically higher (p < 0.05) in urine from patients than in urine from control subjects. The trace element Cu was also statistically higher (p < 0.05) in patient urine.Conclusion:The amino acid metabolism of the neurolathyrism patients is disturbed by over-consumption of grass pea seeds. The high concentrations of Cu found in the patient urine might indicate the involvement of trace elements in the aetiology of neurolathyrism.