Formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU; conjugate base, formiminoglutamate) is an intermediate in the catabolism of L-histidine to L-glutamic acid. It thus is also a biomarker for intracellular levels of folate. The FIGLU test is used to identify vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, folate deficiency, and liver failure or liver disease.[1][2] It is elevated with folate trapping, where it is accompanied by decreased methylmalonic acid, increased folate and a decrease in homocysteine.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Lascelles, P. T.; Donaldson, D. (1989). "Formiminoglutamic Acid (FIGLU) Test". Diagnostic Function Tests in Chemical Pathology. pp. 59–60. doi:10.1007/978-94-009-1846-7_31. ISBN 978-0-7462-0107-7.
  2. ^ FIGLU+Test at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
  3. ^ Scott, JohnM.; Weir, DonaldG. (15 August 1981). "THE METHYL FOLATE TRAP: A physiological response in man to prevent methyl group deficiency in kwashiorkor (methionine deficiency) and an explanation for folic-acid-induced exacerbation of subacute combined degeneration in pernicious anaemia". The Lancet. 318 (8242): 337–340. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(81)90650-4. ISSN 0140-6736. PMID 6115113. S2CID 29977127.