Oneliner_1479

OneLiner

Lead inhibits synthesis of heme on two levels: (1) It blocks δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, and (2) it decreases iron incorporation into heme. Inherited defects of the same biochemical pathway responsible for this patient’s symptoms can result in acute intermittent porphyria, producing abdominal pain and psychological disturbances, as well as porphyria cutanea tarda, characterized by photosensitivity.