ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate serum uric acid (UA) levels and related clinical characteristics of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). METHODS: The serum uric acid levels were measured in 65 patients with NMO, compared to control groups which were 76 cases with multiple sclerosis (MS), 126 cases with cerebral vascular diseases (CVD) and 130 healthy controls (HC). The disability severity in NMO was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to strengthen assessment the involved lesions. Serum AQP4 antibody was tested in a cell based immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: In male groups, serum UA levels in NMO patients [(298.90 ± 74.14) µmol/L] were significantly lower than that in CVD [(355.37 ± 50.30) µmol/L] and HC subjects [(340.33 ± 58.23) µmol/L, P < 0.05]. No difference was found between NMO and MS [(292.36 ± 92.95) µmol/L] groups. In female groups, serum UA levels in NMO patients [(198.21 ± 62.62) µmol/L] were significantly lower than that in CVD [(274.51 ± 70.66) µmol/L] and HC subjects [(243.26 ± 60.65) µmol/L, P < 0.05]. No difference was found between NMO and MS [(232.29 ± 71.95) µmol/L] groups. UA levels were significantly lower in females [(198.21 ± 62.62) µmol/L] than in males [(298.90 ± 74.14) µmol/L]. UA levels were significantly lower in patients with EDSS ≥ 5 [(195.48 ± 83.70) µmol/L] than EDSS < 5 [(241.00 ± 63.20) µmol/L] NMO patients. In our study UA levels were not correlated with longitude of spinal lesions, activity revealed by MRI and AQP4 antibody tires. CONCLUSION: Lower serum UA levels were found in patients with NMO and related to more severe symptoms.
