X-Linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a hereditary disorder of the peroxisomal metabolism biochemically characterized by the accumulation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in tissues and biological fluids. The major accumulated acids are hexacosanoic acid (C26:0) and tetracosanoic acid (C24:0). The disorder is characterized clinically by central and peripheral demyelination and adrenal insufficiency closely related to the accumulation of fatty acids. The incidence of X-ALD is estimated to be 1:25,000 males. At least six phenotypes can be distinguished. The most common phenotypes are childhood cerebral ALD and adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). The recommended therapy consists of the use of the glyceroltrioleate/glyceroltrierucate (GTO/GTE) mixture, known as Lorenzo's Oil, combined with a VLCFA-poor diet. There are alternative treatments such as bone marrow transplantation and immunosuppression, as well as the use of lovastatin and sodium phenylacetate. In the present study we report the clinical and biochemical course of 7 male patients with X-ALD treated with Lorenzo's Oil and a VLCFA-restricted diet. Treatment produced 50% reduction in C26:0 and 42.8% reduction in the C26:0/C22:0 ratio. Most patients remained clinically well, although approximately 30% of them presented a rapid clinical deterioration. The results showed a poor biochemical-clinical correlation for treatment, indicating that new therapies for X-ALD are needed in order to obtain a better prognosis for patients.
