Lethal Capecitabine Toxicity in Patients With Complete Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency Due to Ultra-Rare DPYD Variants.

A DPD deficiency should be considered in case of severe toxicity even in the absence of common risk variants in DPYD.

Gut Microbiome Composition in Dystonia Patients.

Dystonia is a movement disorder in which patients have involuntary abnormal movements or postures. Non-motor symptoms, such as psychiatric symptoms, sleep problems and fatigue, are common. We hypothesise that the gut microbiome might play a role in the pathophysiology of the (non-)motor symptoms in dystonia via the gut-brain axis. This exploratory study investigates the composition of the gut microbiome in dystonia patients compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, the abundance of neuro-active metabolic pathways, which might be implicated in the (non-)motor symptoms, was investigated. We performed both metagenomic and 16S rRNA sequencing on the stool samples of three subtypes of dystonia (27 cervical dystonia, 20 dopa-responsive dystonia and 24 myoclonus-dystonia patients) and 25 controls. While microbiome alpha and beta diversity was not different between dystonia patients and controls, dystonia patients had higher abundances of Ruminococcus torques and Dorea formicigenerans, and a lower abundance of Butyrivibrio crossotus compared to controls. For those with dystonia, non-motor symptoms and the levels of neurotransmitters in plasma explained the variance in the gut microbiome composition. Several neuro-active metabolic pathways, especially tryptophan degradation, were less abundant in the dystonia patients compared to controls. This suggest that the gut-brain axis might be involved in the pathophysiology of dystonia. Further studies are necessary to confirm our preliminary findings.

Methylation of the serotonin reuptake transporter gene and non-motor symptoms in dystonia patients.

BACKGROUND: Dystonia is a rare movement disorder, in which patients suffer from involuntary twisting movements or abnormal posturing. Next to these motor symptoms, patients have a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity, suggesting a role for serotonin in its pathophysiology. This study investigates the percentage of DNA methylation of the gene encoding for the serotonin reuptake transporter (SLC6A4) in dystonia patients and the associations between methylation levels and presence and severity of psychiatric symptoms. METHODS: Patients with cervical dystonia (n = 49), myoclonus dystonia (n = 41) and dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) (n = 27) and a group of healthy controls (n = 56) were included. Psychiatric comorbidity was evaluated with validated questionnaires. Methylation levels of 20 CpG sites situated 69 to 213 base pairs upstream of the start codon of SLC6A4 were investigated. Methylation in dystonia patients was compared to healthy controls, correcting for age, and correlated with psychiatric comorbidity. RESULTS: Bootstrapped quantile regression analysis showed that being a dystonia patient compared to a healthy control significantly explains the methylation level at two CpG sites (CpG 24: pseudo-R2 = 0.05, p = 0.04, CpG 32: pseudo-R2 = 0.14, p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis revealed that being a DRD patient significantly explained a part of the variance of methylation levels at two CpG sites (CpG 21: pseudo-R2 = 0.03, p = 0.00, CpG 24: pseudo-R2 = 0.06, p = 0.03). Regression analysis showed that methylation level at CpG 38 significantly explained a small proportion of the variance of severity score for anxiety (R2 = 0.07, p = 0.04) and having a diagnosis of depression (Nagelkerke R2: 0.11, p = 0.00). Genotype of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism had no additional effect on these associations. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed an association between percentage of methylation at several specific sites of the promoter region of SLCA64 and (dopa-responsive) dystonia patients compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, methylation levels were associated with severity of anxiety and presence of a depressive disorder in the dystonia group. This study suggests alterations in the serotonergic metabolism in dystonia patients, and its relation with the non-motor symptoms.

The Mitochondrial Epigenome: An Unexplored Avenue to Explain Unexplained Myopathies?

Mutations in either mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or nuclear genes that encode mitochondrial proteins may lead to dysfunctional mitochondria, giving rise to mitochondrial diseases. Some mitochondrial myopathies, however, present without a known underlying cause. Interestingly, methylation of mtDNA has been associated with various clinical pathologies. The present study set out to assess whether mtDNA methylation could explain impaired mitochondrial function in patients diagnosed with myopathy without known underlying genetic mutations. Enhanced mtDNA methylation was indicated by pyrosequencing for muscle biopsies of 14 myopathy patients compared to four healthy controls, at selected cytosines in the Cytochrome B (CYTB) gene, but not within the displacement loop (D-loop) region. The mtDNA methylation patterns of the four healthy muscle biopsies were highly consistent and showed intriguing tissue-specific differences at particular cytosines with control skin fibroblasts cultured in vitro. Within individual myopathy patients, the overall mtDNA methylation pattern correlated well between muscle and skin fibroblasts. Despite this correlation, a pilot analysis of four myopathy and five healthy fibroblast samples did not reveal a disease-associated difference in mtDNA methylation. We did, however, detect increased expression of solute carrier family 25A26 (SLC25A26), encoding the importer of S-adenosylmethionine, together with enhanced mtDNA copy numbers in myopathy fibroblasts compared to healthy controls. To confirm that pyrosequencing indeed reflected DNA methylation and not bisulfite accessibility, mass spectrometry was employed. Although no myopathy-related differences in total amount of methylated cytosines were detected at this stage, a significant contribution of contaminating nuclear DNA (nDNA) was revealed, and steps to improve enrichment for mtDNA are reported. In conclusion, in this explorative study we show that analyzing the mitochondrial genome beyond its sequence opens novel avenues to identify potential molecular biomarkers assisting in the diagnosis of unexplained myopathies.

Elevated granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and hematopoietic stem cell mobilization in Niemann-Pick type C1 disease.

Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) disease is a progressive lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations of the NPC1 gene. While neurodegeneration is the most severe symptom, a large proportion of NPC1 patients also present with splenomegaly, which has been attributed to cholesterol and glycosphingolipid accumulation in late endosomes and lysosomes. However, recent data also reveal an increase in the inflammatory monocyte subset in the Npc1nih mouse model expressing an Npc1 null allele. We evaluated the contribution of hematopoietic cells to splenomegaly in NPC1 disease under conditions of hypercholesterolemia. We transplanted Npc1nih (Npc1 null mutation) or Npc1wt bone marrow (BM) into Ldlr-/- mice and fed these mice a cholesterol-rich Western-type diet. At 9 weeks after BM transplant, on a chow diet, the Npc1 null mutation increased plasma granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) by 2-fold and caused mild neutrophilia. At 18 weeks after BM transplant, including 9 weeks of Western-type diet feeding, the Npc1 mutation increased G-csf mRNA levels by ∼5-fold in splenic monocytes/macrophages accompanied by a ∼4-fold increase in splenic neutrophils compared with controls. We also observed ∼5-fold increased long-term and short-term hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the spleen, and a ∼30-75% decrease of these populations in BM, reflecting HSC mobilization, presumably downstream of elevated G-CSF. In line with these data, four patients with NPC1 disease showed higher plasma G-CSF compared with age-matched and gender-matched healthy controls. In conclusion, we show elevated G-CSF levels and HSC mobilization in the setting of an Npc1 null mutation and propose that this contributes to splenomegaly in patients with NPC1 disease.

Dopaminergic and serotonergic alterations in plasma in three groups of dystonia patients.

INTRODUCTION: In dystonia, dopaminergic alterations are considered to be responsible for the motor symptoms. Recent attention for the highly prevalent non-motor symptoms suggest also a role for serotonin in the pathophysiology. In this study we investigated the dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic metabolism in blood samples of dystonia patients and its relation with (non-)motor manifestations. METHODS: Concentrations of metabolites of dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways were measured in platelet-rich plasma in 41 myoclonus-dystonia (M-D), 25 dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD), 50 cervical dystonia (CD) patients and 55 healthy individuals. (Non-)motor symptoms were assessed using validated instruments, and correlated with concentrations of metabolites. RESULTS: A significantly higher concentration of 3-methoxytyramine (0.03 vs. 0.02 nmol/L, p < 0.01), a metabolite of dopamine, and a reduced concentration of tryptophan (50 vs. 53 µmol/L, p = 0.03), the precursor of serotonin was found in dystonia patients compared to controls. The dopamine/levodopa ratio was higher in CD patients compared to other dystonia groups (p < 0.01). Surprisingly, relatively high concentrations of levodopa were found in the untreated DRD patients. Low concentrations of levodopa were associated with severity of dystonia (rs = -0.3, p < 0.01), depression (rs = -0.3, p < 0.01) and fatigue (rs = -0.2, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study shows alterations in the dopaminergic and serotonergic metabolism of patients with dystonia, with dystonia subtype specific changes. Low concentrations of levodopa, but not of serotonergic metabolites, were associated with both motor and non-motor symptoms. Further insight into the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in dystonia with a special attention to the kinetics of enzymes involved in these pathways, might lead to better treatment options.

Homozygous damaging SOD2 variant causes lethal neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is recognised to be a heritable disorder, yet clinical genetic testing does not produce a diagnosis in >50% of paediatric patients. Identifying a genetic cause is crucial because this knowledge can affect management options, cardiac surveillance in relatives and reproductive decision-making. In this study, we sought to identify the underlying genetic defect in a patient born to consanguineous parents with rapidly progressive DCM that led to death in early infancy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Exome sequencing revealed a potentially pathogenic, homozygous missense variant, c.542G>T, p.(Gly181Val), in SOD2. This gene encodes superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) or manganese-superoxide dismutase, a mitochondrial matrix protein that scavenges oxygen radicals produced by oxidation-reduction and electron transport reactions occurring in mitochondria via conversion of superoxide anion (O2-·) into H2O2. Measurement of hydroethidine oxidation showed a significant increase in O2-· levels in the patient's skin fibroblasts, as compared with controls, and this was paralleled by reduced catalytic activity of SOD2 in patient fibroblasts and muscle. Lentiviral complementation experiments demonstrated that mitochondrial SOD2 activity could be completely restored on transduction with wild type SOD2. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that defective SOD2 may lead to toxic increases in the levels of damaging oxygen radicals in the neonatal heart, which can result in rapidly developing heart failure and death. We propose SOD2 as a novel nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein involved in severe human neonatal cardiomyopathy, thus expanding the wide range of genetic factors involved in paediatric cardiomyopathies.

Living on the edge: substrate competition explains loss of robustness in mitochondrial fatty-acid oxidation disorders.

BACKGROUND: Defects in genes involved in mitochondrial fatty-acid oxidation (mFAO) reduce the ability of patients to cope with metabolic challenges. mFAO enzymes accept multiple substrates of different chain length, leading to molecular competition among the substrates. Here, we combined computational modeling with quantitative mouse and patient data to investigate whether substrate competition affects pathway robustness in mFAO disorders. RESULTS: First, we used comprehensive biochemical analyses of wild-type mice and mice deficient for medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) to parameterize a detailed computational model of mFAO. Model simulations predicted that MCAD deficiency would have no effect on the pathway flux at low concentrations of the mFAO substrate palmitoyl-CoA. However, high concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA would induce a decline in flux and an accumulation of intermediate metabolites. We proved computationally that the predicted overload behavior was due to substrate competition in the pathway. Second, to study the clinical relevance of this mechanism, we used patients' metabolite profiles and generated a humanized version of the computational model. While molecular competition did not affect the plasma metabolite profiles during MCAD deficiency, it was a key factor in explaining the characteristic acylcarnitine profiles of multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficient patients. The patient-specific computational models allowed us to predict the severity of the disease phenotype, providing a proof of principle for the systems medicine approach. CONCLUSION: We conclude that substrate competition is at the basis of the physiology seen in patients with mFAO disorders, a finding that may explain why these patients run a risk of a life-threatening metabolic catastrophe.

Translational Targeted Proteomics Profiling of Mitochondrial Energy Metabolic Pathways in Mouse and Human Samples.

Absolute measurements of protein abundance are important in the understanding of biological processes and the precise computational modeling of biological pathways. We developed targeted LC-MS/MS assays in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode to quantify over 50 mitochondrial proteins in a single run. The targeted proteins cover the tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid ß-oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation, and the detoxification of reactive oxygen species. Assays used isotopically labeled concatemers as internal standards designed to target murine mitochondrial proteins and their human orthologues. Most assays were also suitable to quantify the corresponding protein orthologues in rats. After exclusion of peptides that did not pass the selection criteria, we arrived at SRM assays for 55 mouse, 52 human, and 51 rat proteins. These assays were optimized in isolated mitochondrial fractions from mouse and rat liver and cultured human fibroblasts and in total liver extracts from mouse, rat, and human. The developed proteomics approach is suitable for the quantification of proteins in the mitochondrial energy metabolic pathways in mice, rats, and humans as a basis for translational research. Initial data show that the assays have great potential for elucidating the adaptive response of human patients to mutations in mitochondrial proteins in a clinical setting.

Neonatal screening for profound biotinidase deficiency in the Netherlands: consequences and considerations.

Biotinidase deficiency is a rare inherited metabolic disorder that can cause severe neurological symptoms. To prevent severe clinical presentations, it was included in the Dutch neonatal screening programme in 2007. Since then the number of cases detected has been high. This study set out to describe the incidence of the disease, the clinical and demographic characteristics of the neonates identified and the type of mutations found. In the south-western Netherlands, 304 982 neonates were screened between 2007 and 2012; and 92 were identified for further testing. Confirmatory testing revealed 6 (7%) with a profound biotinidase deficiency (<10% enzyme activity), 44 (48%) with a partial deficiency (10-30%) and 42 (46%) with normal activity (>30%). All six patients whose profound deficiency was confirmed had enzyme activities below 15% on neonatal screening. Mutation analysis was performed in 61 neonates: 5 'profound', 35 'partial' and 21 'normal'. All five 'profound' cases had two severe mutations. Comparison with the northern Netherlands showed that the frequency and types of mutation were representative for the Netherlands as a whole. The most common mutation detected was c.[1330G>C] (p.(Asp444His); 34%), which is considered to be mild, followed by three severe mutations c.[1368A>C], c.[1595C>T] and c.[1330G>C;511G>A]. Seven new mutations were identified. We conclude that neonatal screening for profound biotinidase produces a high number of false positives. Biotinidase deficiency was profound in less than 10% of cases identified. As biotinidase activity lay below 15% on neonatal screening in all such cases, the screening threshold might be reduced to 15%.

Clinical pattern, mutations and in vitro residual activity in 33 patients with severe 5, 10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is a rare inborn defect disturbing the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine (<200 reported cases). This retrospective study evaluates clinical, biochemical genetic and in vitro enzymatic data in a cohort of 33 patients. METHODS: Clinical, biochemical and treatment data was obtained from physicians by using a questionnaire. MTHFR activity was measured in primary fibroblasts; genomic DNA was extracted from cultured fibroblasts. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (mean age at follow-up 11.4 years; four deceased; median age at first presentation 5 weeks; 17 females) were included. Patients with very low (<1.5%) mean control values of enzyme activity (n = 14) presented earlier and with a pattern of feeding problems, encephalopathy, muscular hypotonia, neurocognitive impairment, apnoea, hydrocephalus, microcephaly and epilepsy. Patients with higher (>1.7-34.8%) residual enzyme activity had mainly psychiatric symptoms, mental retardation, myelopathy, ataxia and spasticity. Treatment with various combinations of betaine, methionine, folate and cobalamin improved the biochemical and clinical phenotype. During the disease course, patients with very low enzyme activity showed a progression of feeding problems, neurological symptoms, mental retardation, and psychiatric disease while in patients with higher residual enzyme activity, myelopathy, ataxia and spasticity increased. All other symptoms remained stable or improved in both groups upon treatment as did brain imaging in some cases. No clear genotype-phenotype correlation was obvious. DISCUSSION: MTHFR deficiency is a severe disease primarily affecting the central nervous system. Age at presentation and clinical pattern are correlated with residual enzyme activity. Treatment alleviates biochemical abnormalities and clinical symptoms partially.

In vitro and in vivo consequences of variant medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency is the most common inherited disorder of the mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, caused by mutations in the ACADM gene. Since the introduction of neonatal screening for MCAD deficiency, a subgroup of newborns have been identified with variant ACADM genotypes that had never been identified before in clinically ascertained patients. In vitro residual MCAD enzyme activity has been found to facilitate risk-stratification. In this study we integrated results of in vitro (residual MCAD enzyme activities) and in vivo (clinical fasting tolerance tests, and phenylpropionic acid loading tests) tests in this subgroup of newborns, defining the consequences of variant ACADM genotypes. METHODS: Enzyme analyses were performed in leukocytes with: hexanoyl-CoA (C6-CoA) +/- butyryl-CoA (C4-CoA), and phenylpropionyl-CoA (PP-CoA). In vitro studies were performed in 9 subjects with variant ACADM genotypes, in vivo functional tests in 6 of these subjects. RESULTS: Enzyme analyses with C6-CoA, C6-CoA + C4-CoA, and PP-CoA identified significantly higher residual MCAD enzyme activities in subjects with variant ACADM genotypes when compared to patients with classical ACADM genotypes.After prolonged fasting (range 15-18.5 hours) no hypoglycaemia was observed. Increasing concentrations of free fatty acids indicated lipolysis, and ketone body concentrations were sufficient for blood glucose concentrations in 5 out of 6 subjects. Phenylpropionic acid loading clearly demonstrated in vivo residual MCAD enzyme activity in all studied subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with variant ACADM genotypes and residual MCAD enzyme activities >10% display residual MCAD enzyme activities in vitro and in vivo. Our findings support the hypothesis that the guidelines on maximal duration of fasting might be abandoned in subjects with residual MCAD enzyme activities >10% under normal conditions. An emergency regimen and parental instructions remain necessary in all subjects with MCAD deficiency, regardless of residual MCAD enzyme activity.

Risk stratification by residual enzyme activity after newborn screening for medium-chain acyl-CoA dehyrogenase deficiency: data from a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of medium-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency in population newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) programs, subjects have been identified with variant ACADM (gene encoding MCAD enzyme) genotypes that have never been identified in clinically ascertained patients. It could be hypothesised that residual MCAD enzyme activity can contribute in risk stratification of subjects with variant ACADM genotypes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients identified upon population NBS for MCAD deficiency in the Netherlands between 2007-2010. Clinical, molecular, and enzymatic data were integrated. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients from 76 families were identified. Twenty-two percent of the subjects had a variant ACADM genotype. In patients with classical ACADM genotypes, residual MCAD enzyme activity was significantly lower (median 0%, range 0-8%) when compared to subjects with variant ACADM genotypes (range 0-63%; 4 cases with 0%, remainder 20-63%). Patients with (fatal) neonatal presentations before diagnosis displayed residual MCAD enzyme activities <1%. After diagnosis and initiation of treatment, residual MCAD enzyme activities <10% were associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemia and carnitine supplementation. The prevalence of MCAD deficiency upon screening was 1/8,750 (95% CI 1/7,210-1/11,130). CONCLUSIONS: Determination of residual MCAD enzyme activity improves our understanding of variant ACADM genotypes and may contribute to risk stratification. Subjects with variant ACADM genotypes and residual MCAD enzyme activities <10% should be considered to have the same risks as patients with classical ACADM genotypes. Parental instructions and an emergency regimen will remain principles of the treatment in any type of MCAD deficiency, as the effect of intercurrent illness on residual MCAD enzyme activity remains uncertain. There are, however, arguments in favour of abandoning the general advice to avoid prolonged fasting in subjects with variant ACADM genotypes and >10% residual MCAD enzyme activity.

Vascular contraction and preeclampsia: downregulation of the Angiotensin receptor 1 by hemopexin in vitro.

During normal pregnancy, in contrast to preeclampsia, plasma hemopexin activity is increased together with a decreased vascular angiotensin II receptor (AT(1)) expression. We now tested the hypothesis that hemopexin can downregulate the AT(1) receptor in vitro. Analysis of human monocytes or endothelial cells by flow cytometry showed decreased membrane density of AT(1) exclusively after incubation with active hemopexin, whereas in supernatants of these cell cultures, AT(1) molecules could be detected (dot blotting). Also, diminished AT(1) was observed in endothelial cell lysates after contact with hemopexin (Western blotting). Hemopexin also induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway inhibition in cells after stimulation with angiotensin II in vitro, indicating downregulation of AT(1) by hemopexin. In addition, functional loss of AT(1) occurred after incubation of rat aortic rings with active hemopexin, as reflected by decreased contraction of the aortic rings on stimulation with angiotensin II. It was further demonstrated that plasma from normal pregnant women decreased the AT(1) receptor expression on monocytes as compared with plasma from nonpregnant women or preeclamptic women. Finally, it was shown that plasma hemopexin activity increases during normal gestation from week 10 onward. We concluded that active hemopexin is able to downregulate the AT(1) receptor in human monocytes, endothelial cells, and rat aortic rings. We propose that the physiological role of enhanced hemopexin activity during healthy pregnancy is to downregulate the vascular AT(1) receptor, promoting an expanded vascular bed. Inhibition of hemopexin activity during preeclampsia may result in an enhanced AT(1) receptor expression and a contracted vascular bed.

Plasma hemopexin activity in pregnancy and preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Plasma hemopexin activity, associated with increased vascular permeability, was evaluated in healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women and in pre-eclamptic women. METHODS: Hemopexin activity and the hemopexin inhibitor, extracellular ATP, were assayed in plasma from pregnant (n = 10), preeclamptic (n = 9), and non-pregnant women (n = 10) using standard methods. Abdominal fascia tissue fragments from preeclamptic and pregnant women were immunohistochemically stained for vascular ecto-apyrase or ecto-5'nucleotidase. RESULTS: The data show significantly enhanced Hx activity exclusively in plasma from pregnant women and significantly enhanced plasma ATP in pre-eclamptic women compared with the other groups. Dephosphorylation of preeclamptic plasma resulted in reactivation of Hx activity. Fascia tissue-samples from preeclamptic women showed reduced ecto-apyrase activity and enhanced ecto-5'nucleotidase activity compared to pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Enhanced hemopexin activity may be associated with normal pregnancy, but not with preeclampsia. Decreased hemopexin in pre-eclamptic patients may be due to enhanced plasma ATP, which is possibly promoted by diminished activity of vascular ecto-apyrase.

Isolated elevated serum transaminases leading to the diagnosis of asymptomatic Pompe disease.

An asymptomatic boy, aged 1.5 years, was referred with presumed liver disease because of persistently increased transaminase. Ultimately Pompe disease was confirmed, without specific abnormalities in muscle biopsy. This case demonstrates that increased transaminases do not always suggest liver disease. It is hard to determine prognosis and to decide whether enzyme replacement therapy should be started in asymptomatic patients with Pompe disease.

Clinical, biochemical, and genetic heterogeneity in short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency.

CONTEXT: Short-chain acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase (SCAD) deficiency (SCADD) is an autosomal recessive, clinically heterogeneous disorder with only 22 case reports published so far. Screening for SCADD is included in expanded newborn screening programs in most US and Australian states. OBJECTIVES: To describe the genetic, biochemical, and clinical characteristics of SCADD patients in the Netherlands and their SCADD relatives and to explore the genotype to phenotype relation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective study involving 31 Dutch SCADD patients diagnosed between January 1987 and January 2006 and 8 SCADD relatives. SCADD was defined by the presence of (1) increased butyrylcarnitine (C4-C) levels in plasma and/or increased ethylmalonic acid (EMA) levels in urine under nonstressed conditions on at least 2 occasions, in combination with (2) a mutation and/or the c.511C>T or c.625G>A susceptibility variants on each SCAD-encoding (ACADS) allele. Patients were included only if the SCAD-encoding (ACADS) was fully sequenced and if current clinical information could be obtained. Relatives were included when they carried the same ACADS genotype as the proband, and had increased C4-C and/or EMA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence, genotype (mutation/mutation, mutation/variant, variant/variant), C4-C and EMA levels, clinical signs and symptoms, and clinical course. RESULTS: A birth-prevalence of at least 1:50,000 was calculated. Most patients presented before the age of 3 years, with nonspecific, generally uncomplicated, and often transient symptoms. Developmental delay, epilepsy, behavioral disturbances, and hypoglycemia were the most frequently reported symptoms. The ACADS genotype showed a statistically significant association with EMA and C4-C levels, but not with clinical characteristics. Seven out of 8 SCADD relatives were free of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: SCADD is far more common than assumed previously, and clinical symptoms in SCADD are nonspecific, generally uncomplicated, often transient, and not correlated with specific ACADS genotypes. Because SCADD does not meet major newborn screening criteria, including a lack of clinical significance in many patients and that it is not possible to differentiate diseased and nondiseased individuals, it is not suited for inclusion in newborn screening programs at the present time.

Ventricular fibrillation without overt cardiomyopathy as first presentation of organic cation transporter 2-deficiency in adolescence.

This case report describes ventricular fibrillation without overt cardiomyopathy as the presenting symptom of primary carnitine deficiency due to organic cation transporter 2 (OCTN2)-deficiency in a 15-year-old girl. Normally this disease presents early in life with hypoketotic hypoglycemia, muscle weakness, and/or cardiomyopathy. The patient fully recovered after carnitine supplementation. Recognition of this disease is important because its treatment is easy and effective.

Increased plasma carnitine concentrations in preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia is associated with abnormal lipid metabolism, including fatty acid metabolism. Carnitine plays an indispensable role in the oxidation of fatty acids. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible role of abnormal fatty acid oxidation in preeclampsia by comparing plasma carnitine levels between preeclamptic and healthy control pregnant women. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of free carnitine and short-, medium-, and long-chain acylcarnitines were investigated with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry in pregnant women with preeclampsia (n = 33) and in normotensive healthy pregnant control subjects (n = 28). Excluded were multiple pregnancies and women with preexistent hypertension, diabetes, renal dysfunction, immune disease, and intrauterine fetal death. Control subjects were healthy pregnant women without hypertension or proteinuria. RESULTS: The results revealed that, except for the medium-chain plasma acylcarnitines, all plasma carnitines were significantly increased (P <.001) in the preeclamptic group (t test for unpaired samples). Free carnitine and the short- and long-chain acylcarnitine values were increased by approximately 50% compared with the control group. Total and short-chain plasma acylcarnitine levels were significantly correlated to diastolic blood pressure, whereas no relationship could be demonstrated between carnitine concentrations and the variables proteinuria and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: The considerable increased plasma carnitine concentrations, together with the accumulation of lipids, support the role of abnormal lipid metabolism in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. It is suggested that toxic metabolites resulting from abnormal fatty acid oxidation in the placenta contribute to the endothelial dysfunction of preeclampsia.