Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism (adenine and guanine) in the diet. Prolonged hyperuricemia increases the risk of gouty arthritis, renal calculi, renal and vascular disease. At acid pH uric acid has a very low solubility, but at physiological pH the more soluble ionised form, urate, predominates. With a normal diet some 5-6 mmol of urate is produced daily, and of this about 3-4 mmol is produced from purines synthesised within the body (de novo synthesis), whilst the remaining 1-2 mmol are contributed from purines present in the diet.
Of the 5-6 mmol of urate produced daily, approximately 25-30% is eliminated via the gastrointestinal tract, where it is degraded by bacterial uricases. The remainder of the urate is excreted by the kidney. In renal failure the intestinal excretion of urate can be markedly increased. Uric acid measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of renal and metabolic disorders including gout, leukaemia, psoriasis, starvation or other wasting conditions.
Lipids/Trace Metals
UURA
Uric acid
2 days
3254