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Abstract
The peroxisomal diseases, which are rare inborn metabolic errors, often have serious effects on the well being of the individual and many of them are fatal at an early age. The Zellweger cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome represents a group consisting of diseases with a generalized loss of peroxisomal functions and is considered as a prototype for peroxisomal dysfunction. The largest group includes those diseases where only a single peroxisomal function is impaired. The most common peroxisomal disease, x-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ADL), belongs to this group, and neurological symptoms dominate among the patients. The primary diagnosis is usually based on clinical findings and measurement of accumulated or depleted metabolites in the body (e.g. very long chain fatty acids, bile acid intermediates or plasmalogens). Some progress has been made in treating of the peroxisomal diseases. Many patients with x-linked ALD have benefitted from the supplementation of the diet with long chain monounsaturated fatty acids like erucic acid or oleic acid with the simultaneous restriction of very long chain fatty acids. Docosahexenoate (C22: 1) has also shown promising results in some studies.