Severe anemia in patients with Propionic acidemia is associated with branched-chain amino acid imbalance

BACKGROUND: Propionic acidemia (PA), an inborn error of metabolism, is caused by a deficiency in propionyl-CoA carboxylase. Patients have to follow a diet restricted in the propiogenic amino acids isoleucine (Ile), valine (Val), methionine (Met) and threonine (Thr); proper adherence can prevent and treat acute decompensation and increase life expectancy. However, chronic complications occur in several organs even though metabolic control may be largely maintained. Bone marrow aplasia and anemia are among the more common. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, data for patients with PA being monitored at the Hospital Ramón y Cajal (Madrid, Spain) (n = 10) in the past 10 years were examined to statistically detect relationships between persistent severe anemia outside of metabolic decompensation episodes and dietary practices such as natural protein intake and medical food consumption (special mixture of precursor-free amino acids) along with plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). High ferritin levels were deemed to indicate that a patient had received repeated transfusions for persistent anemia since data on hemoglobin levels at the moment of transfusion were not always passed on by the attending centers. RESULTS: Three patients had severe, persistent anemia that required repeated blood transfusions. Higher medical food consumption and plasma Leu levels were associated with iron overload. Notably, natural protein intake and plasma Val were negatively correlated with ferritin levels. We also observed an inverse relationship between plasma Val/Leu and Ile/Leu ratios and ferritin. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that severe anemia in patients with PA might be associated with low natural protein intake and BCAA imbalance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-021-01865-7.