Urinary organic acid profiles of Reye's syndrome patients.

The status of mitochondrial functioning in Reye's syndrome was assessed by comparing organic acid profiles from nine pathological urines with those from normal urines. It was found that Reye's syndrome urines have a normal content of succinic, oxaloacetic, aconitic, and citric acids suggesting that the enzymes of the acid cycle are functional. Elevated pyruvate and depressed alpha-ketoglutarate levels were observed. Abnormal urinary constituents detected were salicylic and adipic acids. Presence of the latter indicates that the enzymes of fatty acid beta-oxidation are functional.