Mechanisms of interference of p-diphenols with the Trinder reaction

p-Diphenols, such as homogentisic acid, gentisic acid, etamsylate, and calcium dobesilate, interfere with diagnostic tests utilizing the Trinder reaction but the mechanisms of these effects are not fully understood. We observed substantial differences both in oxidation of p-diphenols by horseradish peroxidase and their influence on oxidation of 4-aminoantipyrine and various phenolic substrates. Homogentisic acid was rapidly oxidized by the enzyme and completely blocked chromophore formation. Enzymatic oxidation of the remaining p-diphenols was slow and they only moderately inhibited chromophore formation. However, in the presence of standard substrates all tested p-diphenols were rapidly co…