RESUMEN
Radiologic examination of an Egyptian mummy showed characteristic radiologic changes seen in ochronosis. Desiring to confirm the diagnosis of ochronosis, punch biopsy samples of ochronotic mummy bone were removed for biochemical analysis. An organic solvent extraction procedure was developed to selectively isolate mummy ochronotic pigment, and spectroscopic methods were used to characterize the pigment as a homogentisic-acid--derived polymer.
Asunto(s)
Huesos/análisis , Momias , Ocronosis/historia , Pigmentos Biológicos/análisis , Anciano , Alcaptonuria/complicaciones , Antiguo Egipto , Historia Antigua , Ácido Homogentísico/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Ocronosis/etiología , Ocronosis/metabolismo , Pigmentos Biológicos/metabolismoRESUMEN
Roentgenograms of an Egyptian mummy, dating from 1500 B.C., showed extensive calcification of the intervertebral discs and articular narrowing in both hip and knee joints. Biopsy cores from the right hip showed parallel black zones in the region of the articular surfaces, leading to a clinical diagnosis of ochrinosis. The black pigment was extracted, analyzed, and compared to an air-oxidized homogentistic acid polymer. The two substances apparently were identical. The chemical evidence thus confirms the clinical finding of ochronosis, an autosomal recessive disorder. This is, so far as known, the earliest verified case of this disorder.