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Test Code PIPU Pipecolic Acid, Random, Urine

Reporting Name

Pipecolic Acid, U

Useful For

Differentiating between disorders of peroxisomal biogenesis (eg, Zellweger syndrome) and disorders with loss of a single peroxisomal function

 

Detecting abnormal elevations of pipecolic acid in urine

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Urine


Necessary Information


Patient's age is required.



Specimen Required


Supplies: Urine tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube

Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. No preservative.


Specimen Minimum Volume

2 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Frozen (preferred) 94 days
  Refrigerated  14 days

Reference Values

≤31 days: ≤223.8 nmol/mg creatinine

32 days-5 months: ≤123.1 nmol/mg creatinine

6 months-11 months: ≤45.0 nmol/mg creatinine

≥1 year: ≤5.7 nmol/mg creatinine

Day(s) Performed

Tuesday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

82542

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
PIPU Pipecolic Acid, U 33659-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
81248 Pipecolic Acid, U 33659-4
29952 Interpretation 59462-2
29954 Reviewed By 18771-6

Clinical Information

Pipecolic acid (PA) is an intermediate of lysine metabolism and is oxidized in the peroxisomes by the enzyme L-pipecolate oxidase. In peroxisome biogenesis disorders (eg, Zellweger syndrome), the activity of this enzyme is lost, resulting in an increase in pipecolic acid levels. In contrast, in peroxisomal disorders involving single enzyme deficiencies such as D-bifunctional protein deficiency, PA is not elevated; therefore, PA analysis is useful for differentiating between these 2 groups of disorders.

 

Increased pipecolic acid levels may also be seen in alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (pyridoxine dependent epilepsy), hyperlysinemia types 1 and 2, and defects in proline metabolism.

 

Theoretically, a defect in L-pipecolate oxidase can exist, and several cases of hyperpipecolic acidemia have been reported, but a specific enzyme deficiency has not been described in any of the patients.

Interpretation

Elevated pipecolic acid levels are seen in disorders of peroxisomal biogenesis; normal levels are seen in disorders with loss of a single peroxisomal function.

 

Abnormal levels of pipecolic acid should be interpreted together with the results of other biochemical markers of peroxisomal disorders, such as serum C22-C26 very long-chain fatty acids, phytanic acid, pristanic acid (POX / Fatty Acid Profile, Peroxisomal [C22-C26], Serum); red blood cell plasmalogens (PGRBC / Plasmalogens, Blood); and bile acid intermediates (BAIPD / Bile Acids for Peroxisomal Disorders, Serum).

Cautions

Newborns with disorders of peroxisomal biogenesis often have normal levels of pipecolic acid that increase with age.

 

Abnormal results may reflect either prematurity or nongenetic liver or kidney disease.

 

Pipecolic acid is not detected by conventional organic acid analysis (OAU / Organic Acids Screen, Random, Urine).

 

Vigabatrin interferes with pipecolic acid determination.

 

Methylmalonic acid interferes with pipecolic acid determination.

Report Available

3 to 9 days

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Method Name

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Testing Algorithm

For more information see Epilepsy: Unexplained Refractory and/or Familial Testing Algorithm.