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Thrombocytopenia induced by erucic acid therapy in patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

Five patients with various clinical and genetic phenotypes of adrenoleukodystrophy were treated with a diet enriched with glycerol trioleate and glycerol trierucate (GTE). In all patients platelet counts decreased upon the administration of GTE, but no bleeding symptoms occurred in any of the patients, and bleeding time remained normal. Pseudothrombocytopenia was excluded in all patients. Thrombocytopenia was marked (84,000-37,000/mm) in three of the patients but was fully reversible after discontinuation of GTE. Mean platelet volumes were abnormally increased in all patients. When GTE was again administered by stepwise increasing the daily dose, platelet counts showed a clearly dose-dependent decrease. Bone marrow biopsies revealed no evidence of reduced megakaryocytopoiesis. The data indicate that in patients with adrenoleukodystrophy treated with GTE platelet counts should be closely monitored because thrombocytopenia may limit the maximal daily intake of GTE.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Adrenoleukodystrophy and beta-galactosidase deficiency: patient and carrier.

A patient with adrenoleukodystrophy and his mother, a carrier, showed an elevated ratio of very long-chain fatty acids to long-chain fatty acids and decreased beta-galactosidase activity. Other lysosomal enzyme activities were normal except for the borderline level of arylsulfatase-A activity. However, the father and other patients with variant forms of adrenoleukodystrophy showed normal beta-galactosidase and other lysosomal enzyme activities.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Hepatic peroxisomes in adrenoleukodystrophy and related syndromes: cytochemical and morphometric data.

Peroxisomes were visualized by cytochemical staining for catalase or/and electron microscopy in liver biopsies of two boys with childhood adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), and of two girls with autopsy confirmed neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD). In a third patient previously described as NALD, unusual organelles were seen which may be large abnormal microbodies. Enlarged peroxisomes (determined by morphometry) were also present in the livers of the other two NALD patients. In the ALD patient whose clinical disease was more severe, peroxisomes were larger than in the older ALD case. Catalase staining was diminished and markedly heterogeneous. Additional unusual features such as a separate population of tubular forms, contact with fat droplets, of tubular forms, contact with fat droplets, marginal plate and invaginations containing glycogen were seen in the neonatal cases. These data are compared to the enlarged or elongated peroxisomes and heterogeneous staining in the thiolase-deficient "pseudo-Zellweger" patient (Goldfischer et al. 1986) and in 2 siblings with acylCoA oxidase deficiency (Poll-Thé et al. 1986, 1988). Enlarged peroxisomes are a common feature in this group of patients with peroxisomal deficiency disorders, suggesting that increased size and lowered metabolic capacity are associated. Nevertheless a marked morphopathological heterogeneity of peroxisomes thus exists in syndromes described as NALD including previously published cases. Most likely this heterogeneity reflects different enzymatic deficiencies, as confirmed by the biochemical data available. Clinically similar syndromes cover divergent microscopical and enzymatic peroxisomal patterns, and naming of the disease should be adapted to reflect such data. Cytochemical studies are urged in every suspected patient.

Adolescent↗

Ataxic variant of adrenoleukodystrophy: MRI and CT findings.

A 28-year-old man developed slowly progressive dysarthria and gait disturbance over 7 years. Neurological examination revealed marked ataxia of articulation and gait, mild ataxia and spasticity of all four limbs without intellectual, visual, auditory, sensory or sphincter dysfunction. No physical signs of adrenal hypofunction were found. However, analysis of fatty acid of plasma sphingomyelin showed an increase in very long chain fatty acids, compatible with the diagnosis of adrenoleukodystrophy. Computed tomography disclosed marked atrophy of the cerebellum and pons, and bilateral low-density lesions in the deep while matter of the cerebellum. Magnetic resonance imaging showed these lesions more clearly, as well as other lesions in the middle and superior cerebellar peduncles, despite the absence of cerebral white matter involvement at the time of presentation. This is a rare case of adrenoleukodystrophy presenting as spinocerebellar degeneration and showing marked atrophy and several parenchymatous lesions of the cerebellum and brain stem.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Brain, liver, and adipose tissue erucic and very long chain fatty acid levels in adrenoleukodystrophy patients treated with glyceryl trierucate and trioleate oils (Lorenzo's oil).

Brain, liver, and adipose lipids were studied in the postmortem tissues of four adrenoleukodystrophy patients who had been treated with a mixture of glyceryl trioleate and trierucate oils ("Lorenzo's Oil") and compared to 7 untreated ALD patients and 3 controls. The dietary therapy appeared to reduce the levels of saturated very long chain fatty acids in the plasma, adipose tissue and liver; in the brain they were reduced in only one of the four patients. While substantial amounts of erucic acid were present in some of the tissues even 12 months after therapy had been discontinued, the levels in brain did not exceed those in controls at any time. The failure of erucic acid to enter the brain in significant quantity may be a factor in the disappointing results of dietary therapy for adrenoleukodystrophy.

Adipose Tissue↗

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: biochemical diagnosis and enzyme defect.

The adrenoleukodystrophies refer to three genetically distinct disorders all characterized by the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids. In this paper we will review the biochemical aspects of these leukodystrophies with particular emphasis on the methods used to measure very long-chain fatty acid levels in plasma and their reliability. Furthermore, we will concentrate on the primary defect in the X-linked form of adrenoleukodystrophy.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Peroxisomal integral membrane proteins in livers of patients with Zellweger syndrome, infantile Refsum's disease and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

Livers from seven patients with peroxisome disorders, three with Zellweger syndrome, one with infantile Refsum's syndrome and three with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, were analysed by immunoblotting. The bifunctional protein catalysing two peroxisomal beta-oxidation reactions was deficient in all Zellweger livers and in the infantile Refsum's liver, consistent with the absence of morphologically recognizable peroxisomes. Three peroxisomal integral membrane proteins (IMPs) (69, 53 and 22 kDa) were present in normal amounts in all the Zellweger and adrenoleukodystrophy samples and they sedimented in a membrane fraction. These membrane proteins were also present in the infantile Refsum's liver. We suggest, on the basis of these results, that aberrant peroxisomal membranes may be present in Zellweger syndrome and that the defect is in the transport of matrix proteins into the organelle.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in patients with idiopathic Addison disease.

UNLABELLED: The two main causes of primary adrenal disease are tuberculosis and auto-immune adrenal destruction. The latter is responsible for about 70% of the cases of primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease). Commonly referred to as a rare cause of adrenal failure is X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a demyelinating peroxisomal disorder affecting 1: 20,000 Caucasian males. Albeit primary adrenal insufficiency is a rare entity per se, we decided to study patients with idiopathic Addison disease and establish the frequency of ALD as a cause of adrenal insufficiency. The biochemical defect of ALD was found in 5 out of 24 patients. The small number of cases in our series led us to include in our analysis the published results of two other groups of investigators. This analysis indicates that the proportion of cases in which Addison disease is attributable to ALD is age dependent. It is highest when the adrenal insufficiency manifests before 15 years. This study clearly demonstrates that the proportion of ALD in patients presenting primary adrenal insufficiency has been under-estimated. CONCLUSION: Addison disease manifesting during the first decade of life has a high likelihood of being the first sign of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

Addison Disease↗

Anaesthesia for the patient with neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy.

The authors present and discuss the care of a nine-month-old with neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy who required general anaesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopy. Neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy is an inherited disorder of peroxisomal enzymes. Anaesthetic care may be affected by the presence of hypotonia, liver function abnormalities, gastroesophageal reflux, and impaired adrenocortical function. Preoperative sedation is contraindicated because of the risk of precipitating airway obstruction due to pre-existing hypotonia. Anaesthetic induction and tracheal intubation should be performed to minimize the risk for aspiration of gastric contents. The choice of muscle relaxant should take into account the pre-existing hypotonia as well as the possibility of hyperkalaemia in response to succinylcholine. Anaesthetic agents known to decrease the seizure threshold should be avoided in patients with a seizure disorder. In addition, anaesthetic agents that rely on the liver for metabolism should be used with caution in patients with cirrhosis. When time permits, these patients should be screened for adrenocortical insufficiency before surgery, and perioperative steroid coverage is advisable when preoperative testing of adrenocortical function is not feasible. While these patients eventually die after progressive deterioration, full recovery from the effects of anaesthesia and surgery can be achieved with attention to neurological, metabolic, and physical problems.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Single cell co-amplification of polymorphic markers for the indirect preimplantation genetic diagnosis of hemophilia A, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, X-linked hydrocephalus and incontinentia pigmenti loci on Xq28.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) first consisted of the selection of female embryos for patients at risk of transmitting X-linked recessive diseases. Advances in molecular biology now allow the specific diagnosis of almost any Mendelian disease. For families with an identified X-linked recessive disease-causing mutation, non-specific diagnosis by sex identification can be considered as a sub-standard method, since it involves the unnecessary disposal of healthy male embryos and reduces success rate by diminishing the pool of embryos eligible for transfer. The most telomeric part of the X-chromosome long arm is a highly gene-rich region encompassing disease genes such as haemophilia A, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, X-linked hydrocephalus and incontinentia pigmenti. We developed five single-cell triplex amplification protocols with microsatellite markers DXS1073, DXS9901 (BGN), G6PD, DXS1108, DXS8087 and F8C-IVS13 located in this Xq terminal region. These tests allow the diagnosis of all diseases previously mentioned providing that the genetic material allowing the identification of the morbid allele can be obtained. The choice of the microsatellite set to use depends on the localisation of the gene responsible for the diagnosed pathology and on the informativity of the markers in particular families. Single-cell amplification efficiency was assessed on single lymphocytes. Amplification rate of the different markers ranged from 89-97% with an allele drop out rate of 2-19%. So far PGD has been carried out for three carrier females at risk of transmitting X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, X-linked hydrocephalus and hemophilia A. The latter one is now pregnant.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Probing substrate-induced conformational alterations in adrenoleukodystrophy protein by proteolysis.

The adrenoleukodystrophy protein (ALDP) is a half-ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter localized in the peroxisomal membrane. Dysfunction of this protein is the cause of the human genetic disorder X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), which is characterized by accumulation of saturated, very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). This observation suggests that ALDP is involved in the metabolism of these compounds. Whether ALDP transports VLCFAs or their derivatives across the peroxisomal membrane or some cofactors essential for the efficient peroxisomal beta-oxidation of these fatty acids is still unknown. In this work, we used a protease-based approach to search for substrate-induced conformational alterations on ALDP. Our results suggest that ALDP is directly involved in the transport of long- and very-long-chain acyl-CoAs across the peroxisomal membrane.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Mem↗

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: defective peroxisomal oxidation of very long chain fatty acids but not of very long chain fatty acyl-CoA esters.

We investigated the peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation system in liver and cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy known to accumulate very long chain fatty acids. In order to examine whether the deficient peroxisomal oxidation of very long chain fatty acids in these patients results from a deficiency in one of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme proteins (acyl-CoA oxidase, bifunctional protein with enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities and 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase) we carried out immunoblotting experiments using antibodies directed against the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme proteins from rat liver. Furthermore, we studied the oxidation of palmitoyl-CoA and lignoceroyl-CoA in homogenates of fibroblasts from the patients. The results indicate that the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme proteins are not only present immunologically but also functionally active which suggests that the defect in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is, indeed, as recently suggested by Hashmi and coworkers (FEBS Lett 1986;196:247-250) at the level of a deficient peroxisomal activation of very long chain fatty acids.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

Temporary improvement of neurological symptoms with gammaglobulin therapy in a boy with adrenoleukodystrophy.

A 10-year-old boy with adrenoleukodystrophy was treated with gammaglobulin in conjunction with a mixture of glyceryl trioleate and glyceryl trierucate. With a high dose of gammaglobulin, clinical improvement, including the reduction of visual field defects, was noted. On magnetic resonance imaging, attenuation of the enhancement of the rim with gadolinium was observed, suggesting repair of the blood-brain barrier. When auditory agnosia developed later, a temporary improvement was again obtained with gammaglobulin. Although the progress of the disease could not be arrested permanently, gammaglobulin therapy seemed to have been associated with temporary improvement of the clinical symptoms in this patient with adrenoleukodystrophy.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: clinical, biochemical and pathogenetic aspects.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder ranging from the severe childhood cerebral form to asymptomatic persons. The overall incidence is 1:16,800 including hemizygotes as well as heterozygotes. The principal molecular defect is due to inborn mutations in the ABCD1 gene encoding the adrenoleukodystrophy protein (ALDP), a transporter in the peroxisome membrane. ALDP is involved in the transport of substrates from the cytoplasm into the peroxisomal lumen. ALDP defects lead to characteristic accumulation of saturated very long-chain fatty acids, the diagnostic disease marker. The pathogenesis is unclear. Different molecular mechanisms seem to induce inflammatory demyelination, neurodegeneration and adrenocortical insufficiency involving the primary ABCD1 defect, environmental factors and modifier genes. Important information has been derived from the X-ALD mouse models; species differences however complicate the interpretation of results. So far, bone marrow transplantation is the only effective long-term treatment for childhood cerebral X-ALD, however, only when performed at an early-stage of disease. Urgently needed novel therapeutic strategies are under consideration ranging from dietary approaches to gene therapy.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Mem↗

Auditory brainstem response findings and peripheral auditory sensitivity in adrenoleukodystrophy.

Measurements of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) were obtained in 96 individuals with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). The patients were divided into five diagnostic groups on the basis of neurologic diagnosis. The five groups were cerebral childhood and adolescent, pure adrenomyeloneuropathy (pure AMN), adrenomyeloneuropathy cerebral (AMN cerebral), Addison's only and symptomatic female heterozygotes. Results indicated the presence of marked ABR abnormalities for all groups most frequently involving Wave V, followed by Wave III and Wave I. Abnormalities of all interpeak latency intervals (i.e., I-III, III-V and I-V) were observed for all groups. ABR abnormalities were most frequently seen in the AMN-cerebral and pure AMN groups but were also common in the symptomatic female heterozygote group. The ABRs in the cerebral childhood and adolescent group were the least impaired of the five groups examined. Age was found to be a significant independent predictor of bilateral ABR abnormalities but VLCFA levels, MRI Loes score, and duration of symptoms were not found to be independent predictors of bilateral ABR abnormalities after adjusting for ALD phenotype. Patients with AMN were significantly more likely to have bilateral ABR abnormalities than the cerebral childhood and adolescent group after adjusting for age, duration of symptoms, EDSS score, VLCFA levels and MRI Loes scores. The prevalence of peripheral hearing loss was not found to exceed that present in age and sex matched normal control groups derived from the NHANES (1999-2000), indicating a lack of association between peripheral hearing loss and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. It was concluded that: (1) auditory sensitivity in X-ALD is not significantly impaired; (2) ABR abnormalities are a frequent finding and may be caused by abnormalities of fiber tracts in the region of the lateral lemniscus and inferior colliculus; and, (3) the abnormalities progress slowly and appear to be associated mainly with the AMN phenotype.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance in adrenoleukodystrophy: report of a case.

The nuclear magnetic resonance images obtained in a case of adrenoleukodystrophy are presented. The areas of demyelination are clearly seen. The T1 values of the affected areas are not specific and coincide with those previously recorded in the lesions of multiple sclerosis or cerebrovascular disease. A diagnosis of adrenoleukodystrophy should be considered in younger male patients presenting with behavioural disturbances, especially when these are associated with abnormalities of vision or gait. There may be no clinical evidence of the associated adrenocortical insufficiency.

Adrenal Glands↗

Two novel frameshift mutations in the adrenoleukodystrophy gene in Italian patients.

Two novel frameshift adrenoleukodystrophy mutations in two families were identified: a complex dinucleotide deletion/tetranucleotide insertion at 1116 TC-->GAGA (codon 244 [serine]) and an AG deletion at nucleotide 1462 (codon 359 [glutamic acid]). Both mutations are predicted to cause premature termination of protein synthesis. The patients were affected by childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy and by adrenomyeloneuropathy with mild Addison disease, respectively.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Rat adrenoleukodystrophy-related (ALDR) gene: full-length cDNA sequence and new insight in expression.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is an inherited demyelinating disorder due to mutations in the ALD gene, which encodes a peroxisomal ABC half-transporter (ALDP). It has been suggested that ALDP assembles with ALDRP (adrenoleukodystrophy-related protein), a close homologous half-transporter, to form a functional heterodimer. For the first time full-length ALDRP cDNA (5.5 kb) was cloned, and 5' and 3' RACE analysis revealed that alternative usage of polyadenylation sites generates the two transcripts of 3.0 and 5.5 kb observed in the rat in Northern blot analysis. Southern blotting and chromosomal mapping demonstrated one ALDR locus in the rat genome. Characterisation of the 3' flanking region suggested that an ID sequence might be responsible for high expression of the 5.5 kb ALDRP transcript in rat brain. ALDR gene expression was found to be high in the liver of rats before weaning and very low in adult rats; the reverse developmental regulation was observed in the brain. Fenofibrate, which is a potent inducer of the ALDR gene in the liver of adult rats, could not induce the ALDR gene in suckling rats. The exact significance of this result with regard to development of an efficient pharmacological gene therapy for X-ALD is discussed.

3' Untranslated Regions↗