Urinary formiminoglutamate in man. Normal values related to sex and age. Effects of low calorie intake and alcohol consumption.

A modification of the enzymic method of Tabor and Wyngarden for formiminoglutamate (FIGLU) estimation in urine is described. Alkaline degradation of FIGLU in blanks enhanced the sensitivity of the method. FIGLU excretion in 94 healthy persons indicated a sex and age dependence. Short term calorie restriction or fasting led to a decrease of FIGLU excretion while acute alcohol intoxication or chronic alcohol administration were accompanied by enhanced FIGLU excretion. It is suggested that decreased FIGLU excretion was due to histidine deficiency.