Improving a Rare Metabolic Disorder Through Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report of a Patient With Lysinuric Protein Intolerance

Am J Kidney Dis. 2023 Apr;81(4):493-496. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.08.019. Epub 2022 Oct 9.

Abstract

Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is a rare metabolic disorder with reduced renal and intestinal reabsorption of ornithine, lysine, and arginine. It is due to variants in SLC7A7, the gene encoding y+L amino acid transporter 1 (y+LAT1), which lead to urea cycle defects with protein intolerance. Chronic kidney disease in lysinuric protein intolerance is common and can progress to kidney failure and initiation of kidney replacement therapy. Kidney transplantation could in theory improve urine levels and, consequently, plasma levels of these amino acids and therefore improve clinical symptoms, as well as protein intolerance, in patients with lysinuric protein intolerance. However, data on kidney transplantation in patients with lysinuric protein intolerance are limited, and up until now no data on clinical and biochemical improvement after kidney transplantation have been reported. In this case report we describe a rare case of kidney transplantation in a lysinuric protein intolerance patient with substantial improvement in protein tolerance; in plasma and urine levels of ornithine, lysine, and arginine; and in lysinuric protein intolerance symptoms.

Keywords: Amino acids; Case report; Citrulline; Index Words: Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI); Kidney transplantation; Metabolic disorder; Renal failure; SLC7A7; Whole-exome sequencing (WES).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors* / complications
  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors* / drug therapy
  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors* / genetics
  • Amino Acid Transport System y+L
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Arginine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Lysine / urine
  • Metabolic Diseases*
  • Ornithine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Lysine
  • Arginine
  • Ornithine
  • SLC7A7 protein, human
  • Amino Acid Transport System y+L

Supplementary concepts

  • Lysinuric Protein Intolerance