Methylmalonic acid

Methylpropandisäure

Weak beige, fine crystals

128-130 ° C

• PKS1 = 3.07
• PKa2 = 5.76

Well in water

Attention

100 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, mouse, i.v.)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Methylmalonic acid is a chemical compound from the group of dicarboxylic acids. It consists of the basic structure of malonic acid, and additionally carries a methyl group.

Importance in the metabolism

One of the consequences of a vitamin B12 deficiency is an increase of methylmalonyl -CoA, which is metabolized then methylmalonic acid (MMS).

In fact, it has been found that from 90 to 98% of patients with confirmed vitamin B12 deficiency is present, an increased amount of MMS. Respect, one can prove using assays that the cause of increased value to MMS (as well as an increased level of homocysteine ​​) is often also a vitamin B12 deficiency.

However, to test the concentration of MMs is not sufficient enough to close automatically to a vitamin B12 deficiency. For example, the concentration of MMS is increased in the body, although about a quarter in the elderly (70 years ). Of these, however, have 24 to 33 % no vitamin B12 deficiency.

Methylmalonsäurekonzentrationen in the blood is measured in practice by a gas chromatographic mass spectrometry analysis.