If this compound DHPPA is produced by bacterial overgrowth, then wouldn't a
low carb diet be effective in minimizing the growth of these bacteria? In a
study Ray sent me, the men ate meat and fat only and their bacterial count
went way, way down.

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{Profound implications for alteration of balance of norepinephrine and
dopamine metabolism and abnormal behavior}
By William Shaw PhD, Great Plains Laboratory
Newletter March 2000

After 5 years of research, the identity of DHPPA analog finally is
established.  The compound called DHPPA analog on the organic acid test as
now been positivitly identified as 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) - 3 hydroxypropionic
acid (HPHPA) and after the revision of the organic acid test profile in the
beginning of the year 2000, the name on the orgaqnic acid test report will
be HPHPA instead of DHPPA analog.
A patent for the use of this compound in the diagnosis and treatment of
neurpsychiuatric diseases as been filed.  This compound has been found to be
elevated in people with AUTISM, ADD, PSYCHOSIS, SCHIZOPHRENIA and OCD
disorders.  The highest value for this compound was in a urine sample of a
young woman during an acute psychotic episode that included auditory
hallucinations.  In general, the highest values have been found in people
with the most severe symptoms including a woman who had SEIZURES
approximately one hour after a meal.  There are two possible sources of this
compound:phenylpropionic acid and 3-hydroxytyrosine.  Both of the compounds
have significant neurochemical effects that may produce abnormal behaviors
in both animals and humans.
HPHPA is produced from the amino acid phenylalanine in the diet.
Phenylalanine is a constituent of almost ALL PROTEINS, which are broken down
to amino acids by digestive enzymes in the intestinal tract.
When certain bacteria of the CLOSTIRIDUM family (genus) are present in high
numbers, phenylpropionic acid or 3-hydroxytrosine may be formed in the
intestinal tract.  Either or these compounds may then be further converted
to 3-hydroxphenyl-propionic acid which is, in turn converted to HPHPA by the
enzymes in the human mitochondria that break down FATTY ACIDS.
Phenylpropionic acid is important because it is an inhibitor of the enzymes
in the brain that break down enkephalins and administration of this compound
to mice raises brain enkephalin concentrations and causes analgesia when
injected intraperitoneally into mice.
Enkephalins and endorphins are opiod peptides that are produced in the brain
and ADRENAL gland.  The enkephalins exert a whole range of biological
effects including analgesia, regulation of the hyptothalmus in the brain,
modulation of emotions, stimulation of sexual and FEEDING BEHAVIOR, and
regulation of blood pressure, and regulation of blood pressure, temperature
and intestinal function.
These compounds also profoundly alter many functions of the IMMUNE SYSTEM.
The buildup of enkephalins after phenlpropionic acid might have extremely
important effects on human physiology.  Increased excretion of OPIATE
peptides derived from WHEAT (gluten) and MILK (casein) has ALREADY been
implicated in both AUTISM and SCHIZOPHRENIA.
We have found that phenylpropionic acid is frequently ELEVATED when HPHPA is
elevated in the URINE.  In our new organic acid test, we will include
measurements of phenylpropionic acid in addition to HPHPA.
3-Hydroxytyrosine, the other possible source of HPHPA is important because
it induces a characteristic BEHAVIORAL syndrome in rats consisitng of
forepaw padding, head weaving, backward walking, splayed hind limbs, wet dog
shakes, hyperactivity and hyper-reactivity and depletes the brain of
CATECHOLAMINES.  Thus, this compound might play a DIRECT role in causing
ABNORMAL behaviors in autism, schizophrenia, and other disorders.  We have
notices that the molar ratio of the urinary concentrations of the dopamine
metabolite homavanillic acid (HVA) to that of the epinephrine/norephineprine
metabolite or vanillymandelic acid (VMA) in urine (tested by mass
spectometry) is commonly elevated when HPHPA is elevated.  This elevation
appears to indicate that a by-product involved in the formation of HPHPA
likely INHIBITS the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, leading to
relative DOPAMINE excess.
Animal studies have indicated that DOPAMINE neurons mediate BEHAVIORS such
as HYPERACTIVITY and STEREOTYPICAL behaviors common in autism.  Of course,
the drugs such as phenothaizines and haloperidol, commonly used to treat
autism and schizophrenia, are well known to block the action of excessive
dopamine at the RECEPTOR level.
A number of clinical implications result from this newly discovered
overproduction of abnormal by-products such as phenylpropionic acid and
3-hydroxytryosine, perhaps leading to WORSENING of behavioral symptoms
especially if the normal dopamine/norpinephrine ratio is further altered by
a preferential synthesis of dopamine.
Malabsorption of phenylalanine from the INTESTINAL tract might lead to
increased production of abnormal phenylaline by products even if the amounts
of bacteria was normal or only slightly normal.
The use of ORGANIC ACID TESTING can provide a valuable tool guiding therapy
so that harmful microorganisms may be eliminated before treatments with
amino acids like phenylaline that might actually cause neuropsyciatric
symnptoms to worsen.
The Great Plains Laboratory, 9335 W. 75th St., Overland Park, KS, 66204
913-341-8949