A Urine Indican Test is used to detect the presence of indican in the urine. Indican is a compound produced as a result of the digestive process and the fermentation of intestinal microorganisms.
What is Indican?
Indican is formed when bacteria in the large intestine break down the amino acid tryptophan, producing indole — a by-product of putrefaction. Most indole is excreted in the faeces, while the remainder is absorbed into the bloodstream and metabolised by the liver into indican (indoxyl sulphate), which is then eliminated through the urine.
When present in urine, indican can be measured and used as a marker of gastrointestinal health and intestinal function. Normally, only very small amounts of indican are found in urine, since it is not produced by the body’s own cells. However, harmful gut bacteria can generate relatively high levels of indican.
Clinical Significance of the Indican Test
- Assessment of digestion:
Measuring urinary indican levels helps evaluate the efficiency of protein digestion and absorption within the digestive system. - Indicator of gut microbiota imbalance:
Elevated urinary indican may indicate intestinal dysbiosis — an imbalance of gut bacteria — or bacterial overgrowth within the small intestine. - Detection of tissue putrefaction:
Apart from intestinal sources, bacterial decomposition within body tissues or fluids — such as infected wounds or abscesses — may also lead to increased urinary indican levels.
Interpretation of Results
- Normal levels:
A small amount of indican in the urine is considered normal and reflects regular metabolic processes. - Elevated levels:
High urinary indican levels may suggest:- Incomplete protein digestion
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Abnormal intestinal motility or chronic constipation
- Gut dysbiosis (microbial imbalance)
- Certain diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease or impaired liver function
Summary
The Urine Indican Test provides useful insight into intestinal health and protein digestion. Elevated indican levels usually reflect poor protein breakdown and microbial imbalance in the gut.
References :
- Greenberger N, Saegh S, and Ruppert R. Urine indican excretion in malabsorption disorders. Gastroenterol 1968;55:204-11. PMID: 4385691.
- Patney NL, Mehrotra MP, Khanna HK, Kumar A. Urinary indican excretion in cirrhosis of liver. J Assoc Physicians India. 1976 May;24(5):291-5. PMID: 1022761.
