EXCRETION OF 3-HYDROXYANTHRANILIC AND QUINOLINIC ACID IN UGANDA AFRICANS

The urinary concentration of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in communities using the plantain (matoke), soft fruits and root crops was found to be ten times higher than in communities using milk and cereals. A study of other metabolites in this same pathway showed that the excretion of both kynurenine and quinolinic acid was elevated in plantain eaters as compared with others. Xanthurenic and kynurenic acid were also increased but not to the high levels reported for gross pyridoxine deficiency. N-methyl nicotinamide was not found to be elevated but this can be a product of both tryptophan and nicotinamide metabolism. The results presented here show that the high excretory pattern cuts across ethnic groupings and is therefore more likely to be dietary than genetic. The relationship of these findings is discussed in relation to bladder cancer and schistosomiasis. © 1969, The British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research. All rights reserved.