Alkaptonuria.

Alkaptonuria is a rare inborn error of metabolism caused by the deficiency of homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase activity. The consequent homogentisic acid (HGA) accumulation in body fluids and tissues leads to a multisystemic and highly debilitating disease whose main features are dark urine, ochronosis (HGA-derived pigment in collagen-rich connective tissues), and a painful and severe form of osteoarthropathy. Other clinical manifestations are extremely variable and include kidney and prostate stones, aortic stenosis, bone fractures, and tendon, ligament and/or muscle ruptures. As an autosomal recessive disorder, alkaptonuria affects men and women equally. Debilitating symptoms appear around the third decade of life, but a proper and timely diagnosis is often delayed due to their non-specific nature and a lack of knowledge among physicians. In later stages, patients' quality of life might be seriously compromised and further complicated by comorbidities. Thus, appropriate management of alkaptonuria requires a multidisciplinary approach, and periodic clinical evaluation is advised to monitor disease progression, complications and/or comorbidities, and to enable prompt intervention. Treatment options are patient-tailored and include a combination of medications, physical therapy and surgery. Current basic and clinical research focuses on improving patient management and developing innovative therapies and implementing precision medicine strategies.

Exogenous Ochronosis With Ocular Involvement From Chronic Use of Teavigo.

Exogenous ochronosis refers to accumulation of homogentisic acid metabolites in tissues, manifesting as pigmentation of affected tissues. Phenolic compounds are most commonly implicated, including hydroquinone, quinine, phenol, resorcinol, mercury, and picric acid. The affected connective tissues exhibit brownish discoloration when heavily pigmented and the histopathological appearance is characteristic with "banana-shaped" ochre-colored pigment deposits. Herein, the authors describe a rare case of exogenous ochronosis involving the conjunctiva, sclera and skin, as a result of chronic use of Teavigo (94% epigallocatechin gallate), a polyphenol compound with postulated antioxidant and antiapoptotic activity.

Identification of Potential Inhibitors for the Treatment of Alkaptonuria Using an Integrated In Silico Computational Strategy.

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare genetic autosomal recessive disorder characterized by elevated serum levels of homogentisic acid (HGA). In this disease, tyrosine metabolism is interrupted because of the alterations in homogentisate dioxygenase (HGD) gene. The patient suffers from ochronosis, fractures, and tendon ruptures. To date, no medicine has been approved for the treatment of AKU. However, physiotherapy and strong painkillers are administered to help mitigate the condition. Recently, nitisinone, an FDA-approved drug for type 1 tyrosinemia, has been given to AKU patients in some countries and has shown encouraging results in reducing the disease progression. However, this drug is not the targeted treatment for AKU, and causes keratopathy. Therefore, the foremost aim of this study is the identification of potent and druggable inhibitors of AKU with no or minimal side effects by targeting 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase. To achieve our goal, we have performed computational modelling using BioSolveIT suit. The library of ligands for molecular docking was acquired by fragment replacement of reference molecules by ReCore. Subsequently, the hits were screened on the basis of estimated affinities, and their pharmacokinetic properties were evaluated using SwissADME. Afterward, the interactions between target and ligands were investigated using Discovery Studio. Ultimately, compounds c and f were identified as potent inhibitors of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase.

Nutritional interventions for patients with alkaptonuria: A minireview.

Alkaptonuria (AKU, OMIM, No. 203500) is a rare, slow-progressing, irreversible, multisystemic disease resulting from a deficiency of the homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase enzyme, which leads to the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) and subsequent deposition as pigment in connective tissues called ochronosis. As a result, severe arthropathy of large joints and spondyloarthropathy with frequent fractures, ligament ruptures, and osteoporosis develops in AKU patients. Since 2020, the first-time treatment with nitisinone has become available in the European Union. Nitisinone significantly reduces HGA production and arrests ochronosis in AKU patients. However, blocking of the tyrosine metabolic pathway by the drug leads to tyrosine plasma and tissue concentrations increase. The nitisinone-induced hypertyrosinemia can lead to the development of corneal keratopathy, and once it develops, the treatment needs to be interrupted. A decrease in overall protein intake reduces the risk of the keratopathy during nitisinone-induced hypertyrosinemia in AKU patients. The low-protein diet is not only poorly tolerated by patients, but over longer periods, leads to a severe muscle loss and weight gain due to increased energy intake from carbohydrates and fats. Therefore, the development of novel nutritional approaches is required to prevent the adverse events due to nitisinone-induced hypertyrosinemia and the negative impact on skeletal muscle metabolism in AKU patients.

Minocycline induced discoloration of the aortic intima and valve: A case report.

CASE REPORT: Ochronosis refers to the blue-black discoloration of connective tissue. While cardiovascular ochronosis has been described resulting from alkaptonuria, it may also result from chronic minocycline use which is exceedingly rare. Cardiovascular ochronosis often presents with insidious development, often identified incidentally during aortic valve replacement (AVR). Herein, we describe the case of a 71-year-old male undergoing AVR and coronary artery bypass grafting found to have minocycline-induced ochronosis of the aortic valve and aorta. CONCLUSIONS: Given the rarity of this case, descriptions of cardiovascular ochronosis cases secondary to minocycline use are imperative in ensuring that it is on the differential diagnosis when identified by others in future cases. Additional care must be taken intraoperatively to ensure that the correct anatomy is identified as discoloration hinders visualization of the anatomy potentially resulting in unintentional consequences such as heart block or perivalvular leak as traditional visual cues for suture placement are distorted.

Descemet's membrane folds in ochronosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We present this report of a new ophthalmic finding in a patient with ochronosis. CASE PRESENTATION: An 85-year-old Caucasian male patient with bilateral dark temporal and nasal pigmentation of conjunctiva and sclera was referred to our hospital owing to low visual acuity. On biomicroscopic examination, bilateral horizontal Descemet's membrane folds were observed. Corneal tomography revealed irregular and asymmetric "against-the-rule" astigmatism in both eyes. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrated numerous central Descemet's without edema or other corneal structure alterations. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of Descemet's membrane folds in ochronosis. These corneal findings suggest that the accumulation of homogentisic acid in the sclera leads to thickening and stiffness of this region. These alterations could remarkably decrease visual acuity owing to topographic corneal curvature alterations, especially in elderly patients.

Ochronotic arthropathy in the context of spondyloarthritis differential diagnosis: a case-based review.

Alkaptonuria is a disease often forgotten because of its rarity. Its pathogenic mechanism is the deficiency of one of the enzymes of the tyrosine degradation pathway-homogentisate-1, 2-dioxygenase, which sequelae is accumulation and deposition of its metabolite homogentisic acid in connective tissues and urine. Alkaptonuria presents as a clinical triad-darkening urine upon prolonged exposure to air, pigmentation of connective tissues and debilitating arthropathy. We present a case report of a 67-year old patient with alkaptonuria who presented with the clinical triad, but was mistakenly diagnosed as having ankylosing spondylitis in the past. Currently there is no treatment for the disease hence the management strategy was focused on symptoms control with analgesics, physical therapy, dietary modification, vitamin C supplementation, and joint arthroplasty. Alkaptonuria's clinical features are extensively described in the literature and despite the fact that it is a rare disease, due to the similar radiographic changes with spondyloarthropathies, it should be included in the differential diagnosis in young patients presenting with severe joint involvement. Early recognition of the disease is necessary since its natural evolution is joint destruction leading to significant reduction in the quality of life. Alkaptonuria's articular features in the spine and peripheral tissues are well described using the classical imaging techniques. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography shows a characteristic set of findings in the soft tissues, including synovium, cartilage, tendons and entheses.

[Ochronosis: A case report]. / Ochronose : une observation.

INTRODUCTION: Ochronosis, also known as alkaptonuria, is a rare autosomal recessive disease. It is caused by a lack of homogentisic acid oxidase, which causes homogentisic acid deposition in the tissues. CASE REPORT: We report a 69-year-old patient who presented with chronic mechanical low back and radicular pain. The clinical examination revealed lumbar lordosis loss, lumbar spinal stiffness, and knee joint limitations of range of motion. On an extra-articular level, the pavilions of the ears and the internal angles of the eyes had a bluish color. Extensive lumbar disc calcifications, vacuum discal phenomenon and osteophytic bridges were demonstrated on standard radiographs of the spine. Clinical and radiographic criteria were used to make the diagnosis of ochronosis. CONCLUSION: Alkaptonuria is a degenerative arthropathy that leads to reduction of functional ability. The use of molecular analysis and genetic research is useful.

Total Knee Replacement in Alkaptonuric Ochronosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Alkaptonuria is a rare disease characterized by the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA). Over time, these patients may develop disabling ochronotic arthropathy. We present 2 cases of patients with end-stage arthropathy treated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Both patients complained of disabling knee pain and reported limited walking distance (200-300 m). One had a history of osteotomy for medial knee arthtritis and ignored his underlying condition. The other presented with valgus gonoarthrosis and diagnosis of alkaptonuria. RESULTS: Intraoperatively, the characteristic dark-blue color in the joint was observed. Both patients evolved favorably after TKA with excellent results according to the Knee Society Scores (KSS) at three years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: We believe TKA is the right treatment for patients with end-stage disease because it offers considerable relief from pain and allows patients to recover function.

THE USE OF NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY IN ALKAPTONURIA - THE MISLEADING OCHRONOSIS - A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW.

INTRODUCTION: Near infrared spectroscopy is a non-invasive method to assess regional oxygenation and is being used in transcatheter aortic valve implantation to document periods of cerebral hypoperfusion, where cerebrovascular events are one of the most feared complications. Alkaptonuria is a rare metabolic disease characterized by accumulation of homogentisic acid in tissues and body fluids. The accumulation of pigment might interfere with the absorption of near infrared light, used in near infrared spectroscopy monitoring. We present a case of near infrared spectroscopy failing to accurately monitor cerebral oximetry in a woman, with alkaptonuria, undergoing a transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Hyperpigmentation: Looking beyond hydroquinone.

Hyperpigmentation is the most common complaint in the age group 40-45 years, seeking consultation for skin disorders. Hydroquinone is a commonly used depigmenting agent in clinical practice for treating hyperpigmentation. Prolonged use of hydroquinone has been associated with cancer risk and exogenous ochronosis. The CARES (The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) Act of 2020 has instituted significant changes to hydroquinone containing OTC (over the counter) products, and consequently, many hydroquinone-based OTC products had to be withdrawn from the market. Henceforth, products containing hydroquinone would need US Food and Drug Administration approval via new drug application pathways for commercialization. Alternative treatment options to hydroquinone in clinical practice are reviewed in this paper with regard to their safety and efficacy vis a vis hydroquinone. Also, new potential treatment options such as thiamidol, Polypodium leucotomos, and glutathione are discussed. The review shows that these alternative depigmenting agents can be rationally combined to achieve desired treatment goals in the management of hyperpigmentation.

Homogentisic acid induces autophagy alterations leading to chondroptosis in human chondrocytes: Implications in Alkaptonuria.

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is an ultra-rare genetic disease caused by a deficient activity of the enzyme homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGD) leading to the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) on connective tissues. Even though AKU is a multi-systemic disease, osteoarticular cartilage is the most affected system and the most damaged tissue by the disease. In chondrocytes, HGA causes oxidative stress dysfunctions, which induce a series of not fully characterized cellular responses. In this study, we used a human chondrocytic cell line as an AKU model to evaluate, for the first time, the effect of HGA on autophagy, the main homeostasis system in articular cartilage. Cells responded timely to HGA treatment with an increase in autophagy as a mechanism of protection. In a chronic state, HGA-induced oxidative stress decreased autophagy, and chondrocytes, unable to restore balance, activated the chondroptosis pathway. This decrease in autophagy also correlated with the accumulation of ochronotic pigment, a hallmark of AKU. Our data suggest new perspectives for understanding AKU and a mechanistic model that rationalizes the damaging role of HGA.

[Alkaptonuria: evolution and course of the disease towards ochronotic arthropathy. Series of cases managed with joint replacement]. / Alcaptonuria: evolución y curso de la enfermedad hacia artropatía ocronótica. Serie de casos manejados con reemplazo articular.

INTRODUCTION: alkaptonuria is a very rare metabolic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance due to HGA oxidase deficiency. Classically described and diagnosed in the third to fourth decade of life, affecting both men and women; Its diagnostic impression is clinical based on the blue/black coloration of the conjunctivae, however it is confirmed by the specific analysis of the enzyme in the urine, to date there is no cure and its treatment is palliative and symptomatic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: descriptive, observational, case series study, the primary objective of which is to describe the progression of the disease and its involvement in the musculoskeletal system. RESULTS: two clinical cases are presented in women and men in which the broad clinic is illustrated, its progressive advance and the different alterations that it can generate in the musculoskeletal system. CONCLUSIONS: alkaptonuria is a rare disease which leads to a severe secondary arthropathy, currently without a specific management which is based on treating the symptoms, in its final stages joint replacements are a management option with satisfactory results for the relief of pain.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la alcaptonuria es una enfermedad metabólica inusual, de herencia autosómica recesiva dada por la deficiencia de la oxidasa de HGA. Clásicamente descrita y diagnosticada sobre la tercera a cuarta década de la vida, la cual tiene afectación en ambos sexos, su impresión diagnóstica es clínica, basándose en la coloración azul/negro de las conjuntivas; sin embargo, se confirma mediante el análisis específico de la enzima en la orina, actualmente no existe un tratamiento definitivo, sólo alternativas en cuanto a lo paliativo y sintomático. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo, observacional, de tipo serie de casos, como objetivo primario se describe la progresión de la enfermedad y su compromiso en el sistema musculoesquelético. RESULTADOS: se presentan dos casos clínicos en mujer y hombre, los cuales ilustran: variedad clínica, avance progresivo y las alteraciones que puede generar en el sistema musculoesquelético. CONCLUSIONES: la alcaptonuria es una enfermedad rara, la cual conlleva una artropatía secundaria severa, sin un tratamiento definitivo dirigido a tratar los síntomas, incluso en sus estadios finales los reemplazos articulares son una opción para proporcionar manejo del dolor obteniendo resultados satisfactorios.