Hippurate
Hippurate
Hippurate, also known as benzoylglycine, is a compound that is formed in the liver by the conjugation of benzoic acid with glycine. It is an important metabolite in the human body and is excreted in the urine. The study of hippurate is significant in the fields of biochemistry and medicine, particularly in understanding metabolic processes and renal function.
Biochemical Formation[edit | edit source]
Hippurate is synthesized in the liver through a process known as glycine conjugation. This involves the enzyme glycine N-acyltransferase, which catalyzes the reaction between benzoic acid and glycine to form hippurate. The reaction can be summarized as follows:
- Benzoic acid + Glycine → Hippurate + Water
This process is a part of the body's mechanism to detoxify benzoic acid, which can be derived from dietary sources or as a result of microbial metabolism in the gut.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Hippurate levels in urine can be used as a biomarker for various physiological and pathological conditions. Elevated levels of hippurate may indicate increased intake of benzoic acid or enhanced microbial activity in the gut. Conversely, low levels of hippurate can be associated with liver dysfunction or impaired renal excretion.
Renal Function[edit | edit source]
Hippurate is freely filtered by the glomeruli in the kidneys and is not reabsorbed, making it a useful marker for assessing renal plasma flow. The clearance of hippurate can be measured to evaluate kidney function, particularly in the context of renal blood flow and filtration efficiency.
Microbiome Interaction[edit | edit source]
The gut microbiota plays a role in the production of benzoic acid, which is a precursor to hippurate. Changes in the composition of the gut microbiome can influence the levels of hippurate in the body, providing insights into gut health and its impact on systemic metabolism.
Analytical Methods[edit | edit source]
The quantification of hippurate in biological samples is typically performed using techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or mass spectrometry. These methods allow for precise measurement of hippurate concentrations in urine and other fluids, facilitating research and clinical diagnostics.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
