Delta 6 Desaturase is an essential enzyme involved in the metabolism of fatty acids, which are vital components of our cells and play critical roles in maintaining overall health. Specifically, Delta 6 Desaturase helps convert dietary fats into essential fatty acids like gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are crucial for producing anti-inflammatory molecules and supporting brain function, heart health, and immune response. The Nutristat Basic Profile from US Biotek measures the activity of this enzyme to provide insights into an individual's fatty acid metabolism.

The Delta Aminolevulinic Acid, Urine, 24 Hour test can help diagnose porphyrias, lead or mercury poisoning and aid in the evaluation of certain neurological problems with abdominal pain.

Delta Aminolevulinic Acid may be increased in attacks of acute intermittent porphyria. Acute intermittent porphyria is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by a deficiency of hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS). It presents with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, and seizures. Treatment for acute attacks is intravenous heme. 

Delta Aminolevulinic Acid is also increased also in tyrosinemia. Tyrosinemia is a genetic disorder characterized by problems breaking down the amino acid tyrosine, which is a building block of most proteins. If the condition is untreated, tyrosine and its byproducts build up in tissues and organs, which can lead to serious health problems.

In a semen analysis, density typically refers to sperm concentration, which is a crucial parameter used to assess male fertility. Sperm density signifies the number of sperm present per milliliter (ml) of semen. It quantifies the concentration of sperm in the ejaculate and is an essential factor in evaluating a man's reproductive health.

Deoxycholic acid (DCA) is a secondary bile acid and part of the metabolic category of the Genova test panel. Bile acids are end products of hepatic cholesterol metabolism that play an important role in fat emulsion and detoxification. 

Deoxycholic acid (DCA) is a bile acid which emulsifies and solubilizes dietary fats in the intestine, and when injected subcutaneously, it disrupts cell membranes in adipocytes and destroys fat cells in that tissue.

Deoxycholic Acid on Labcorp's Bile Acids, Fractionated LC/MS-MS Panel

Deoxycholic acid is a secondary bile acid formed in the colon by the bacterial metabolism of primary bile acids, such as cholic acid. On Labcorp's Bile Acids, Fractionated LC/MS-MS Panel, deoxycholic acid is measured to help assess bile acid metabolism and liver function. Elevated levels of deoxycholic acid can be associated with various gastrointestinal and liver conditions, including cholestasis, inflammatory bowel diseases, or liver dysfunction. The LC/MS-MS technology used in this panel offers high sensitivity and precision, enabling accurate quantification of deoxycholic acid and other bile acids in serum or plasma samples. By analyzing these bile acid profiles, healthcare providers can better understand and manage disorders related to bile secretion, absorption, and liver function.

Deoxycorticosterone (DOC) is a steroid hormone synthesized in the adrenal gland and is a precursor for the synthesis of cortisol and aldosterone. The levels of DOC of pregnant women are extraordinarily high compared with those in men and nonpregnant women. The major diagnostic utility of measurement of steroid synthesis intermediates such as Deoxycorticosterone is in diagnosing disorders of steroid synthesis.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as Deoxynivalenol, a tricothecene mycotoxin, is produced by several species of Fusarium. DON has been associated with outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illness in humans. The FDA advisory level for DON for human consumption is 1 ppm.

Deoxyuridine is a nucleoside, a building block of DNA, but unlike its close relative thymidine, it is not commonly found in DNA. In the context of a Thymidine and Deoxyuridine Analytes panel from Labcorp, testing for deoxyuridine alongside thymidine offers valuable insights into a person's metabolic and DNA synthesis processes. When cells make DNA, they preferentially use thymidine. However, the presence of deoxyuridine in significant amounts can indicate a metabolic issue or a disorder related to DNA synthesis. One of the most critical conditions associated with elevated levels of deoxyuridine is thymidine phosphorylase deficiency, which can lead to mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes, characterized by a range of symptoms from muscle weakness to neurological impairment. Additionally, abnormal levels of deoxyuridine and thymidine can suggest issues with the salvage pathway, a cellular recycling process crucial for DNA repair and replication. By analyzing the levels of these nucleosides, the panel can help diagnose these rare but significant conditions. The test's results, therefore, offer a window into the complex interplay of the body's nucleoside metabolism and DNA repair systems, providing crucial information that can guide diagnosis and treatment.

Des-γ-carboxy Prothrombin (DCP), also known as Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist-II (PIVKA-II), is a unique and clinically significant biomarker often included in blood panels, particularly in the context of liver health and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening. DCP is an abnormal form of prothrombin, a vital protein for blood coagulation, produced in the liver. It arises when there is a deficiency of vitamin K or a dysfunction in the carboxylation system within the liver cells. In healthy individuals, prothrombin is fully carboxylated in the presence of vitamin K, allowing it to play its crucial role in the coagulation cascade. However, in certain pathological conditions, particularly in the presence of hepatic malignancies such as HCC, the capacity for complete carboxylation is impaired, leading to the release of partially carboxylated or completely uncarboxylated prothrombin, identified as DCP.

Desmosterol is a critical marker on the Boston Heart Cholesterol Balance® test, playing a vital role in assessing cholesterol synthesis within the body. As one of the primary precursors in cholesterol production, desmosterol represents the alternative pathway that accounts for approximately 20% of in vivo cholesterol synthesis. Measuring desmosterol levels provides valuable insight into an individual's cholesterol biosynthesis, complementing the primary pathway marker, lathosterol. Elevated desmosterol levels can indicate increased endogenous cholesterol production, which may influence treatment strategies aimed at lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. By incorporating desmosterol measurements, the Boston Heart Cholesterol Balance test delivers a more nuanced understanding of cholesterol metabolism, enhancing the precision of cardiovascular disease risk assessment and management.

Desulfovibrio, a genus of bacteria in the human gut identified through microbiome testing, plays a role in reducing sulfate to hydrogen sulfide. These anaerobic bacteria are influenced by diet, particularly sulfur-rich foods, and the overall health of the gut microbiota. While Desulfovibrio contributes to the gut's sulfur cycle under normal conditions, an overgrowth is associated with health issues like inflammatory bowel diseases, attributed to excessive hydrogen sulfide production. Managing their levels typically involves dietary modifications to reduce sulfur intake and increase fiber, alongside probiotics and prebiotics to promote a balanced gut microbiota. In cases where elevated Desulfovibrio is linked to gastrointestinal conditions, healthcare professionals may recommend further diagnostics and tailored medical interventions to restore microbial balance and address individual health needs.

Desulfovibrio piger is a type of sulfate-reducing bacterium (SRB) commonly found in the human gut microbiome. It plays a role in the breakdown of dietary sulfate, producing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a byproduct. While hydrogen sulfide serves essential roles in small amounts—such as maintaining gut lining integrity—excessive levels can contribute to gut dysbiosis and inflammatory conditions.

Desulfovibrio piger, detected in a gut microbiome test, is a significant bacterium of interest due to its unique characteristics and potential implications for gut health. It is a species of sulfate-reducing bacteria, meaning it uses sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor in its metabolic processes. This bacterium is anaerobic, thriving in environments without oxygen. In the context of the human gut, its presence and abundance can be noteworthy. Desulfovibrio piger is known to play a role in the sulfur cycle within the gut ecosystem, converting sulfate to hydrogen sulfide, a gas that, in high concentrations, can have detrimental effects on the gut lining and overall intestinal health.

Desulfovibrio piger is part of a group called Sulfate-reducing bacteria (=SRB). SRBs are normal inhabitants of the intestine in humans. This group of bacteria can “breathe” sulfate rather than oxygen. SRBs have been suspected to contribute to gastrointestinal disease due to the production of hydrogen sulfide, which can be considered toxic to the gut epithelium.

Desulfovibrio is a genus of gram-negative sulphate-reducing bacteria. This genus has been positively correlated to IBD, colorectal cancer (in animal model), ulcerative colitis, liver disease and autism.

Desulfovibrio spp. is predominant member of Sulfate-reducing bacteria in human gut microbiota. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are anaerobic microorganisms that conduct dissimilatory sulfate reduction to obtain energy, resulting in the release of a great quantity of sulfide. They are commonly isolated from environmental sources, but are also present in the digestive tract of animals and humans. 

Different species of Desulfovibrio: Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, Desulfovibrio piger, Desulfovibrio fairfieldensis Desulfovibrio legallii

The bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a metabolite which can influence cell signaling and reduce oxidative stress at low concentrations and pose toxicity at higher concentrations.