Erythrohepatic protoporphyria and its treatment with β carotene

Abstract

Seven cases of manifest erythrohepatic protoporphyria (EPP) were treated with β-carotene. The patients were given 50 to 250 mg a day for 4 to 15.5 mth (total dose 9 to 60 g). This treatment produced better clinical results than those obtained with previous methods tried. This impression was supported by phototests in 2 of the patients. The serum β-carotene was determined on different occasions during treatment. To some extent, the therapeutic effect seemed to follow the serum β-carotene. Porphyrins in red blood cells, feces and urine were also determined.