Aminolevulinic acid

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Aminolevulinic Acid

Aminolevulinic acid (pronunciation: /ˌæmɪnoʊˌlɛvjuːˈlɪnɪk ˈæsɪd/), also known as ALA, is a compound that is naturally produced in the body. It is a precursor to heme, the molecule that helps carry oxygen in the blood.

Etymology

The term "aminolevulinic acid" is derived from the words "amino", referring to the presence of an amino group, and "levulinic acid", a type of keto acid.

Function

Aminolevulinic acid is crucial in the production of heme, a component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. It is synthesized in the mitochondria through the process of heme synthesis.

Medical Use

In medicine, aminolevulinic acid is used in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including actinic keratosis, a precancerous skin condition, and certain types of cancer. It is also used in the detection of bladder cancer and other malignancies.

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