Objective: Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) responsive phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency is one of the forms of phenylketonuria (PKU). The aim of this study was to screen and diagnose BH(4) responsive PAH deficiency, to further understand its clinical characteristics, and to provide evidence for applying BH(4) drug therapy.
Methods: BH(4) 20 mg/kg loading test was performed in 73 patients with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) (47 males and 26 females), the mean age was 1.93 months. Combined phenylalanine (100 mg/kg) and BH(4) loading test was performed if patients had a basic blood phenylalanine concentration less than 600 micromol/L. The urine pterin profile analysis and the dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) activity in dry blood filter spot were analyzed simultaneously. The patients with BH(4) responsive PAH deficiency were treated with BH(4) tablets (10 - 20 mg/kg x d) under normal diet for 6 to 7 days. Their blood phenylalanine concentration was checked.
Results: (1) The characteristic curve of phenylalanine level was observed in 73 patients after BH(4) loading test. Twenty-two patients were diagnosed as classic phenylketonuria (PKU), 39 were moderate PKU and 12 were BH(4) deficiency. (2) Twenty-two (56.4%) of 39 moderate PKU patients were found to be responsive to BH(4) and the blood phenylalanine was decreased by at least 30%. (3) Six patients with BH(4) responsive PAH deficiency were treated with BH(4) for 6 to 7 days, 4 patients had a normal phenylalanine concentration after 10 mg/kg BH(4) supplement, while other 2 patients needed a treatment of BH(4) at 20 mg/kg.
Conclusion: Some patients with moderate PKU caused by phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency were responsive to BH(4). Their blood phenylalanine significantly decreased after oral BH(4) loading. The BH(4) loading test is an effective diagnostic method to detect BH(4) sensitivity in PKU patients. BH(4) responsive PAH deficiency patient could be treated with BH(4) to replace low-phenylalanine diet treatment totally or partially, which may provide an optional treatment for the disease and improve the quality of life of the patients.