Hyper-homocysteinemia Inducing Hyperuricemia: What are the Mechanisms?

Hyperuricemia is related to metabolic syndrome, and is defined as an over-production or under-excretion of uric acid (UA), with increased UA serum concentration. Among other causes, Hyper-homocysteinemia (H-Hcy) can be responsible for hyperuricemia. The mechanisms underlying the association between these two conditions are unclear, but increased UA serum levels can be a consequence of renovascular atherosclerosis, with reduced UA excretion. An alternative hypothesis is the over-production of UA from adenosine (originating from S-adenosyl-homocysteine). Genetic polymorphism (C677T) of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) may contribute. A possible mechanism is purines biosyinthesis originating from this gene variant. However, the results obtained from several studies and meta-analyses of the relationship between H-Hcy and hyperuricemia are ambivalent, and broader research is needed.

Survey of hyperuricemia and its association with the risks of cardiovascular disorders in elder people of Changchun City / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To survey the prevalence of Hyperuricemia (HUA) in elder population of Changchun city,and to detect the correlation between cardiovascular risk factors and the HUA.Methods 900 residents older than 55 years were selected randomly for this questionnaire survey.Physical and laboratory examinations were performed.Results The HUA prevalence rate elder people in Xixin District of Changchun was 16.0％(144/900),while the rates were 13.7％(50/365),15.2％(47/309) and 20.8％(47/226) (P＜0.05) in the elder group (55-65 years),the aged group (66-75 years),and the advanced aged group (older than 76 years) respectively;there was no statistical significant difference in the prevalences between male and female (x2=0.023 5,P＞0.05).The HUA prevalence rate was significantly different between people who had different level of blood pressure,cholesterol,hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),body mass index (BMI),waisthip ratio (WHR).The level of uric acid (UA),total cholesterol (TC) and hs-CRP was significantly different in people with high uric acid when compared with those of normal patients (P＜0.05).There was positive correlation between UA level and TC,triglyceride (TG) level (r=0.364,P＜0.05;r=0.479,P＜0.05).Conclusion The HUA prevalence rate increases significantly as people getting older.There is positive correlation between the increase of uric acid level and the major cardiovascular risk factor.People with hypertension,hyperlipidemia,overweight and obese have high risk for HUA,so change life style and dietary habits may prevent or reduce the occurrence of HUA.

Rol de la excreción fraccional de ácido úrico en el estudio de hiponatremia / Role of the fractional excretion of uric acid in the study of hyponatremia

Introducción: La hiponatremia es el trastorno hidroelectrolítico más común entre pacientes internados. Conocer de manera precoz el estado del líquido extracelular (LEC) para el estudio de las causas de hiponatremia y su posterior tratamiento es de suma importancia. Se ha planteado la posibilidad de utilizar la excreción fraccional de ácido úrico (EFAU) como herramienta complemetaria para discernir LEC normal de LEC disminuído, incluso en pacientes bajo tratamiento diurético. Métodos: Se evaluaron en 45 pacientes seleccionados en forma prospectiva, parámetros clínicos y de laboratorio habituales al momento del diagnóstico de hiponatremia, para definir el estado del LEC. Una vez definido éste, se calculó la EFAU. Resultados: Se observó que en los 21 pacientes que conformaron el grupo de LEC disminuido, la tensión arterial, la natriuria, la excreción fraccional de sodio, la excreción fraccional de urea y la EFAU fueron significativamente menores (p < 0.05) que en los 24 pacientes del grupo LEC normal. Dentro de estas variables, la EFAU fue la de mayor sensibilidad y especificidad para predecir LEC disminuido, con un valor de corte < 10.9 %. Dentro del subgrupo de 15 pacientes que recibían diuréticos, la EFAU < 10.9 % tuvo una sensibilidad de 100% y una especificidad de 100% para predecir LEC disminuido. Conclusión: Así, la EFAU debería instaurarse dentro del protocolo de estudio de un paciente con hiponatremia, dado que, realizada con muestra aislada de sangre y orina, es un método sencillo y eficaz para efectuar en la urgencia, sobre todo en pacientes con diuréticos.

Introduction: Hyponatremia is the most common hydroelectrolitic disorder in hospitalized patients. It is essential to acquire an early understanding of the extracellular liquid (ECL) status for the study of the causes of hyponatremia and its subsequent treatment. The possibility of using the fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA) as a supplementary tool to distinguish normal ECL from reduced ECL has been considered, including patients undergoing diuretic treatment. Methods: The typical clinical and laboratory parameters were examined at the time of the diagnosis of hyponatremia in 45 patients prospectively selected, to define the status of ECL. Once defined, the FEUA was estimated. Results: For the 21 patients within the reduced ECL group, blood pressure, natriuria, fractional excretion of sodium, fractional excretion of urea and FEUA were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than for the 24 patients within the normal ECL group. Among these variables, the FEUA was the one which showed more sensitivity and specificity to predict a reduced ECL, with a cutoff value < 10.9 %. Within the of 15 patients on diuretic treatment, FEUA < 10.9 % had a 100% sensitivity and a 100% specificity to predict a reduced ECL. Conclusion: Therefore, the FEUA should be included in the study protocol of a patient with hyponatremia,since when performed in an isolated sample of blood andurine, it constitutes a simple and efficient method to be implemented under emergency situations, especially in patients receiving diuretics.

Efecto del germinado de maíz sobre el perfil lipídico, la hemoglobina y la uricemia / Effect of clorophilic juice from germinateo corn on seric lipids, hemoglobin, ano uric acid

Se investigó el efecto del jugo clorofílico de germinado de maíz, con una dosis de 30 ml diarios durante dos meses, sobre el perfil lipídico, la glicemia, la uricemia, la hemoglobina y el hematocrito, en nueve adultos con edad promedio de 44 años y que presentaban hipertrigliceridemia como trastorno principal. Las concentraciones promedio iniciales en mgl dl que eran de 6.9 (ácido úrico), 259 (triglicéridos) y 199 (colesterol total) descendieron en forma progresiva y significativa a los 30, 45 y 60 días de tratamiento hasta valores respectivos de 5.0, 171 y 169 (p = 0.010,0.015 y 0.034 respectivamente). La hemoglobina ascendió de manera progresiva y significativa (p = 0.008) durante el experimento. Este tratamiento natural podría ser útil en la regulación de los lípidos sanguíneos y otros factores biológicos de riesgo para el desarrollo de ateromatosis coronaría, sin los efectos tóxicos que se han demostrado con algunas drogas hipolipemiantes.

The effect was studied of clorophilic juice from germinated corn on blood seric lipids, uric acid, glucose, hemoglobine and hematocrite. Nine adults with average age 44 years and who presented hypertriglyceridemia received daily 30 ml doses of the juice during 2 months. Initial average concentrations in mg/dl were 6.9 (uric acid), 259 (triglycerides) and 199 (total cholesterol); they decreased progressively and significantly at 30, 45 and 60 days of treatment reaching values of 5.0, 171 and 169 respectively (p:0.01 0,0.015 and 0.034). Hemoglobin increased significantly (p:0.008). This natural treatment could be useful in regulating blood lipids and other biologic risk factors for coronary arteriosclerosis, without the toxic efects shown by some lipid control drugs.