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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Alkaptonuria

Alkaptonuria = Deficiency of homogentisic acid oxidase in degradative pathway of tyrosine. Results in alkapton bodies which cause urine to turn black when left to sit in a jar or beaker. Connective tissue is black. Benign but can cause bad arthralgias 

Here is how I remember this. I think of a leader or a group called El Capeetan (Alkapton) who became the leader because he he won a pissing competition because his piss was black which impressed his superstitious followers. Because his urine was black people thought he was a real manly man and to keep this image he was homophobic (homogentisic acid oxidase deficiency).

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