Abstract
Modern instrumentation allows the measurement of organic acids in urine in their physiological concentration ranges. Eight of the compounds that are reported can serve as markers for specific toxicant exposure or detoxification challenges. Xylene exposure causes elevation of 2-methylhippurate, and orotic acid elevation reveals ammonia challenge that exceeds the capacity of the urea cycle. General hepatic detoxification stimulation by natural compounds, drugs, or xenobiotic compounds causes elevated levels of glucaric acid. Abnormalities of α-hydroxybutyrate, pyroglutamate, and sulfate can indicate up-regulated glutathione biosynthesis, impaired reformation of glutathione in the γ-glutamyl cycle, and depleted total body glutathione status, respectively. Patterns of these compounds measured in a simple overnight urine specimen help to identify focal areas of clinical concern and monitor patient responses to detoxification interventions. (Altern Med Rev 2008;13(3):205-215)