Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of Simiaowan in the treatment of hyperuricemia: in vivo and in silico approaches

Background:Simiaowan(SMW),a well-known traditional Chinese medicine,has been employed to treat hyperuricemia(HUA)and gout for centuries.However,the bioactive components and underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated.The objective of this study was to identify the active components and potential mechanisms of SMW by integrating pharmacological experimentation,serum pharmacochemistry,network pharmacology and molecular docking.Methods:HUA rats modelling by high-fat/high-sugar diet and potassium oxonate/adenine oral administration were used to evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects of SMW.UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS was employed to detect the bioactive components present in SMW-containing serum.Network pharmacology and molecular docking were utilized to elucidate the potential targets and underlying mechanisms.Results:SMW effectively ameliorated HUA rats via the inhibition of uric acid(UA)production,promotion of UA excretion,improvement of lipid and glucose metabolic abnormalities,antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and anti-insulin resistance effects.A total of 73 compounds detected in SMW-containing serum were identified as potential active components,with alkaloids,flavonoids,organic acids,and terpenoids emerging as the primary active ingredients.Totally 203 corresponding targets were obtained as SMW anti-HUA/gout targets,which mainly participated in apoptosis,insulin resistance,TNF,PI3K-Akt,HIF-1,NF-κB,MAPK,IL-17 and TLR signaling pathways.Molecular docking indicated that active compounds(e.g.berberine,phellodendrine,quercetin,formononetin,ferulic acid)had superior binding abilities to the key targets(e.g.solute carrier family 22 member 12(URAT1),solute carrier family 22 member 6(OAT1),ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2(ABCG2),solute carrier family 2,facilitated glucose transporter member 9(GLUT9),xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase(XDH),transcription factor p65(RELA),toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),prostaglandin G/H synthase 2(PTGS2),caspase-3(CASP3),insulin(INS)).Conclusion:SMW exerted regulatory influence over the disease network of HUA and gout through a multiplicity of components,targets,and pathways.Alkaloids,flavonoids,organic acids,and terpenoids were the primary active components,exerting anti-HUA/gout effects via antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,anti-insulin resistance,anti-apoptosis,inhibition of UA production,and promotion of UA excretion.This study revealed the active components and molecular mechanisms of SMW,providing insights into the development of natural products derived from SMW.

Andrias davidianus bone peptides alleviates hyperuricemia-induced kidney damage in vitro and in vivo

Hyperuricemia(HUA)is a vital risk factor for chronic kidney diseases(CKD)and development of functional foods capable of protecting CKD is of importance.This paper aimed to explore the amelioration effects and mechanism of Andrias davidianus bone peptides(ADBP)on HUA-induced kidney damage.In the present study,we generated the standard ADBP which contained high hydrophobic amino acid and low molecular peptide contents.In vitro results found that ADBP protected uric acid(UA)-induced HK-2 cells from damage by modulating urate transporters and antioxidant defense.In vivo results indicated that ADBP effectively ameliorated renal injury in HUA-induced CKD mice,evidenced by a remarkable decrease in serum UA,creatinine and blood urea nitrogen,improving kidney UA excretion,antioxidant defense and histological kidney deterioration.Metabolomic analysis highlighted 14 metabolites that could be selected as potential biomarkers and attributed to the amelioration effects of ADBP on CKD mice kidney dysfunction.Intriguingly,ADBP restored the gut microbiome homeostasis in CKD mice,especially with respect to the elevated helpful microbial abundance,and the decreased harmful bacterial abundance.This study demonstrated that ADBP displayed great nephroprotective effects,and has great promise as a food or functional food ingredient for the prevention and treatment of HUA-induced CKD.

Leech Poecilobdella manillensis protein extract ameliorated hyperuricemia by restoring gut microbiota dysregulation and affecting serum metabolites

BACKGROUND Hyperuricemia(HUA)is a public health concern that needs to be solved urgently.The lyophilized powder of Poecilobdella manillensis has been shown to significantly alleviate HUA;however,its underlying metabolic regulation remains unclear.AIM To explore the underlying mechanisms of Poecilobdella manillensis in HUA based on modulation of the gut microbiota and host metabolism.METHODS A mouse model of rapid HUA was established using a high-purine diet and potassium oxonate injections.The mice received oral drugs or saline.Additionally,16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics were performed to identify changes in the microbiome and host metabolome,respectively.The levels of uric acid transporters and epithelial tight junction proteins in the renal and intestinal tissues were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS The protein extract of Poecilobdella manillensis lyophilized powder(49 mg/kg)showed an enhanced anti-trioxypurine ability than that of allopurinol(5 mg/kg)(P<0.05).A total of nine bacterial genera were identified to be closely related to the anti-trioxypurine activity of Poecilobdella manillensis powder,which included the genera of Prevotella,Delftia,Dialister,Akkermansia,Lactococcus,Escherichia_Shigella,Enterococcus,and Bacteroides.Furthermore,22 metabolites in the serum were found to be closely related to the anti-trioxypurine activity of Poecilobdella manillensis powder,which correlated to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways of cysteine and methionine metabolism,sphingolipid metabolism,galactose metabolism,and phenylalanine,tyrosine,and tryptophan biosynthesis.Correlation analysis found that changes in the gut microbiota were significantly related to these metabolites.CONCLUSION The proteins in Poecilobdella manillensis powder were effective for HUA.Mechanistically,they are associated with improvements in gut microbiota dysbiosis and the regulation of sphingolipid and galactose metabolism.

A novel strain of Levilactobacillus brevis PDD-5 isolated from salty vegetables has beneficial effects on hyperuricemia through anti-inflammation and improvement of kidney damage

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disorder caused by abnormal purine metabolism,resulting in abnormally high serum uric acid.In this study,a novel Levilactobacillus brevis PDD-5 isolated from salty vegetables was verified with the function of alleviating hyperuricemia.The relevant effects of L.brevis PDD-5 in lowering uric acid were analyzed by in vitro and in vivo experiments.The results showed that the L.brevis PDD-5 has(68.86±15.46)%of inosine uptake capacity and(95.75±3.30)%of guanosine uptake capacity in vitro.Oral administration of L.brevis PDD-5 to hyperuricemia rats reduced uric acid,creatinine,and urea nitrogen in serum,as well as decreased inosine and guanosine levels in the intestinal contents of rats.Analysis of relevant markers in the kidney by ELISA kits revealed that L.brevis PDD-5 alleviated oxidative stress and inflammation.Moreover,the gene expression of uric acid transporter 1(URAT1)and glucose transporter 9(GLUT9)was down-regulated,and the gene expression of organic anion transporter 1(OAT1)was up-regulated after treatment with L.brevis PDD-5.Western blot analysis showed that L.brevis PDD-5 alleviated hyperuricemia-induced kidney injury through the NLRP3 pathway.The se findings suggest that L.brevis PDD-5 can lower uric acid,repair kidney damage,and also has the potential to prevent uric acid nephropathy.

Food-derived bio-functional peptides for the management of hyperuricemia and associated mechanism

Hyperuricemia,a metabolic disorder related to uric acid metabolism dysregulation,has become a common metabolic disease worldwide,due to changes in lifestyle and dietary structure.In recent years,owing to their high activity and few adverse effects,food-derived active peptides used as functional foods against hyperuricemia have attracted increasing attention.This article aims to focus on the challenge associated with peptide-specific preparation methods development,functional components identification,action mechanism(s)clarification,and bioavailability improvement.The current review proposed recent advances in producing the food-derived peptides with high anti-hyperuricemia activity by protein source screening and matched enzymatic hydrolysis condition adjusting,increased the knowledge about strategies to search antihyperuricemia peptides with definite structure,and emphasized the necessity of combining computer-aided approaches and activity evaluations.In addition,novel action mechanism mediated by gut microbiota was discussed,providing different insights from classical mechanism.Moreover,considering that little attention was paid previously on the structure-activity relationships of anti-hyperuricemia peptides,we collected the sequences from published studies and make a preliminary summary about the structure-activity relationships,which in turn provided guides for enzymatic hydrolysis optimization and bioavailability improvement.Hopefully,this article could promote the development,application and commercialization of food-derived anti-hyperuricemia peptides in the future.

Elucidating the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in hyperuricemia and gout:Insights and therapeutic strategies

Hyperuricemia(HUA)is a condition associated with a high concentration of uric acid(UA)in the bloodstream and can cause gout and chronic kidney disease.The gut microbiota of patients with gout and HUA is significantly altered compared to that of healthy people.This article focused on the complex interconnection between alterations in the gut microbiota and the development of this disorder.Some studies have suggested that changes in the composition,diversity,and activity of microbes play a key role in establishing and progressing HUA and gout pathogenesis.Therefore,we discussed how the gut microbiota contributes to HUA through purine metabolism,UA excretion,and intestinal inflammatory responses.We examined specific changes in the composition of the gut microbiota associated with gout and HUA,highlighting key bacterial taxa and the metabolic pathways involved.Additionally,we discussed the effect of conventional gout treatments on the gut microbiota composition,along with emerging therapeutic approaches that target the gut microbiome,such as the use of probiotics and prebiotics.We also provided insights into a study regarding the gut microbiota as a possible novel therapeutic intervention for gout treatment and dysbiosis-related diagnosis.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Fmb14 ameliorates hyperuricemia-induced hepatocyte pyroptosis via NLRP3 inflammasome cascade inhibition

Hyperuricemia is a high-risk factor for the development of gout and renal fibrosis,but the adverse effects of hyperuricemia on the liver have been seriously neglected.This research investigated the ameliorating effect of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Fmb14 on hyperuricemia induced liver dysfunction both in vitro and in vivo.Cell free extracts of high dose L.rhamnosus Fmb14 treatment reduced the death rate of HepG2 cell lines from 24.1%to 14.9%by inhibiting NLRP3 recruitment,which was mainly activated by reactive oxygen species release and mitochondrial membrane potential disorder.In purine dietary induced hyperuricemia(PDIH)mice model,liver oedema and pyroptosis were ameliorated after L.rhamnosus Fmb14 administration through downregulating the expression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1 and gasdermin-D from 1.61 to 0.86,3.15 to 1.01 and 5.63 to 2.02,respectively.L.rhamnosus Fmb14 administration restored mitochondrial inner membrane protein(MPV17)and connexin 43 from 2.83 and 0.73 to 0.80 and 0.98 respectively in PDIH mice,indicating that dysbiosis of mitochondrial membrane potential was restored in liver.Intriguingly,PDIH pyroptosis stimulates the process of apoptosis,which leads to severe leakage of hepatocytes,and both of pyroptosis and apoptosis were decreased after L.rhamnosus Fmb14 treatment.Therefore,L.rhamnosus Fmb14 is a promising biological resource to maintain homeostasis of the liver in hyperuricemia and the prevention of subsequent complications.

Potential of traditional Chinese medicine lyophilized powder of Poecilobdella manillensis in the treatment of hyperuricemia

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long and illustrious history,and with the development of modern science and technology,the research and application of traditional Chinese medicines have continued to progress significantly.Many traditional Chinese medicinal herbs have undergone scientific validation,reinvi-gorating with new life and vitality,and contributing unique strengths to the advancement of human health.Recently,the discovery that leech total protein extracted from Poecilobdella manillensis lyophilized powder reduces blood uric acid(UA)levels by inhibiting the activity of xanthine oxidase to decrease UA synthesis and promotes UA excretion by regulating different UA transporters in the kidney and intestine has undoubtedly injected new vitality and hope into this field of research.The purpose of this editorial is to comment on this study,explore its strengths and weaknesses,and there is a hope to treat a range of metabolic-related syndromes,including hyperuricemia,by targeting the gut microbiota.

Effect of dapagliflozin on uric acid in patients with chronic heart failure and hyperuricemia

BACKGROUND Patients with chronic heart failure(CHF)frequently develop hyperuricemia,an elevated serum uric acid level,associated with adverse outcomes.Dapagliflozin,a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor,demonstrates reduction in cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization in patients with CHF and ejection fraction(HFrEF),irrespective of diabetes.However,dapagliflozin’s effect on the uric acid levels in patients with CHF and hyperuricemia remain unclear.AIM To investigate the effects of dapagliflozin on uric acid levels in CHF patients with hyperuricemia.METHODS We conducted a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial in 200 patients with CHF and hyperuricemia,with HFrEF and serum uric acid levels≥7 mg/dL(≥416μmol/L).The participants were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 10 mg dapagliflozin or placebo for 24 months.The primary endpoint was the change in serum uric acid level from baseline to 24 months.Secondary endpoints included changes in left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),Nterminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),and quality of life(QoL)scores,as well as the incidence of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure.RESULTS At 24 months,dapagliflozin significantly reduced serum uric acid levels by 1.2 mg/dL(71μmol/L)compared with placebo(95%CI:-1.5 to-0.9;P<0.001).Dapagliflozin also significantly improved LVEF by 3.5%(95%CI:2.1-4.9;P<0.001),NT-proBNP by 25%(95%CI:18-32;P<0.001),and QoL scores by 10 points(95%CI:7-13;P<0.001)and reduced the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure by 35%(95%CI:15–50;P=0.002)compared with the placebo.Adverse events were similar between the two groups,except for a higher rate of genital infections in the dapagliflozin group(10%vs 2%,P=0.01).CONCLUSION Dapagliflozin significantly lowered serum uric acid levels and improved the clinical outcomes in patients with CHF and hyperuricemia.Therefore,dapagliflozin may be a useful therapeutic option for this high-risk population.

Relationship between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome

Objective: To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia. Methods: A total of 2 374 subjects who received health examination in our hospital from Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2006 were enrolled in our study. Hyperuricemia is defined as ≥7 mg/dl (in men) or ≥6.0 mg/dl (in women). Metabolic syndrome was defined using AHA/NHLBI (American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) criteria. Results: (1) The overall prevalence of hyperuricemia was 13.10%. The condition was more common in men than in women (19.07% vs 3.42%). (2) Among men, uric acid concentration is statistically significantly positively correlated with waist circumference, blood pressure, and triglyceride. Uric acid is negatively correlated with serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Uric acid concentration is most strongly correlated with serum triglyceride (r=0.379) and waist circumference (r=0.297). Among women, statistically significant positive correlations were noted for the serum uric acid concentrations with waist circumference, triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose. Serum triglyceride (r=0.329) and waist circumference (r=0.234) are most strongly correlated with uric acid concentrations. (3) Men with hyperuricemia had a 1.634-fold increased risk of metabolic syndrome as compared with those without hyperuricemia odds ratio (OR)=1.634, P=0.000. Women with hyperuricemia had a 1.626-fold increased risk of metabolic syndrome (OR=1.626, P=0.000) as compared with those without hyperuricemia. Conclusion: Hyperuricemia is prevalent among Chinese population. Additionally, serum uric acid is positively associated with metabolic syndrome.

Hyperuricemia Accompanied with Changes in the Retinal Microcirculation in a Chinese High-risk Population for Diabetes

Objective To investigate the association of retinal vascular calibers with hyperuricemia in a middle‐aged and elderly population. Methods A cross‐sectional design was applied in this study and 869 participants aged ≥40 years from a high‐risk group for diabetes were recruited. All participants received the anthropometrical measurements and laboratory tests. Retinal arteriolar and venular caliber of the participants were measured with a semi‐automated system. Hyperuricemia was defined as a serum uric acid level 420 μmol/L in men and 360 μmol/L in women. Linear regression models were used to assess the association of hyperuricemia with retinal vascular calibers. These models were additionally adjusted for age, central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, weekly activity, smoking status, and education. Results Among the 869 participants, 133 （15.3%） suffered from hyperuricemia. The crude mean serum uric acid level was 312.3 μmol/L （Standard Deviation 79.5）; mean concentration was 355.0 μmol/L （SD 75.5） in male participants, and 288.0 μmol/L （SD 71.1） in female participants （age‐adjusted difference 58.1 μmol/L, 95% Confidence Internal 48.5, 67.6）. After adjusting for additional covariates, male participants with hyperuricemia had 3.77 μm （95% CI ‐0.46, 8.00） smaller arteriolar caliber and 6.20 μm （95% CI 0.36, 12.04） larger venule than those without hyperuricemia; the corresponding numbers among female participants were 1.57 μm （95% CI ‐1.07, 4.21） for retinal arteriolar caliber and 2.28 μm （95% CI ‐1.72, 6.27） for retinal venular caliber. Conclusion Hyperuricemia was associated with smaller retinal arteriolar caliber and larger venular caliber mainly in male participants in this study.

Abdominal Fat Accumulation with Hyperuricemia and Hypercholesterolemia Quail Model Induced by High Fat Diet

Objective To establish abdominal fat accumulation with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia quail model fed with high fat diet. And then to investigate the pathological characteristics of this quail model. Methods Thirty Longcheng quails were randomly divided into two groups： control group and model group （n=15）. The control group quails were fed with normal diet and model group quails were fed with high fat diet for 14 days. After a 12-hour overnight fast, liver and abdominal fat at euthanasia as well as serum were collected. The levels of serum uric acid, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）, triglyceride, free fatty acid （FFA）, and blood glucose were assayed. The activity changes of adenosine deaminase （ADA）, xanthine oxidase （XOD）, lipoprotein lipase （LPL）, hepatic lipase （HL）, and fatty acid synthetase （FAS） were analyzed. Results Compared with control group, the abdominal fat content （0.74±0.63 vs. 1.36±0.65 g, P〈0.05） and abdominal fat index （0.44%±0.30% vs. 0.85%±0.30%, P〈0.01） as well as live lipid index （3.61%±0.65% vs. 11.33%±2.14%, P〈0.01） in model group significantly increased; the levels of serum uric acid （210.61±94,76 vs. 304.25±141.94 /amol/L, P〈0.05）, total cholesterol （4.20±0.51 vs. 20.10±11.25 mmol/L, P〈0.01）, LDL-C （1.16±0.29 vs. 10.78±6.48 mmol/L, P〈0.01）, and FFA （0.39±0.14 vs. 0.55±0.15 mmol/L, P〈0.01） in model group significantly increased; HDL-C （5.85±0.95 vs. 4.14±2.03 mmol/L, P〈0.05） significantly decreased; the levels of triglyceride and blood glucose had no significant changes （P〉0.05）; the activities of ADA （9.71±3.05 vs. 17.19±5.10 U/ml, P〈0.01） and XOD （10.58±6,88 vs. 19.22＋9.44 U/L, P〈0.01） in model group significantly increased; and FAS, LPL, HL had no significant changes （P〉0.05）. Conclusions High fat diet can induce abdominal fat accumulation with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia quail model. The changes of uric acid and lipid metabolic enzyme activities may he the pathological mechanism of abdominal fat accumulation with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia.

Total Saponins from Dioscorea Septemloba Thunb Reduce Serum Uric Acid Levels in Rats with Hyperuricemia through OATP1A1 Up-regulation

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of total saponins of Dioscorea（TSD）, an extract of the Chinese herbal Bi Xie, on hyperuricemia and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The rat hyperuricemia model was established by administration of adenine. Thirty-two rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups： model group, low/high-dose TSD-treated groups, and allopurinol-treated group. Meanwhile, 8 rats were used as normal controls. Serum uric acid（UA）, blood urea nitrogen（BUN）, serum creatinine（Scr）, and organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A1（OATP1A1） levels were measured. Comparison between the model group and treatment（allopurinol and TSD） groups showed the serum UA levels were significantly decreased in treatment groups. TSD had similar effects to allopurinol. It was found that the OATP1A1 protein expression levels in treatment groups were higher than in model group and normal controls. And different from the allopurinol-treated groups, TSD-treated group had elevated OATP1A1 expression levels in the stomach, liver, small intestine and large intestine tissues. It was suggested that TSD may facilitate the excretion of UA and lower UA levels by up-regulating OATP1A1 expression.

Association between SLC2A9 Genetic Variants and Risk of Hyperuricemia in a Uygur Population

This study aimed to test the effects of five single nucleotide polymorphisms within SLC2A9 on uric acid level in a special ethnic population,the Uygurs in Xinjiang,China.According to our inclusion and exclusion criteria,Uygur adults from Xinjiang constituted the study population.There were 1053 Uygur adults with hyperuricemia and 1373 normal Uygur adults who served as controls.Five single nucleotide polymorphisms within SLC2A9(rs938557,rs7679916,rs7349721,rsl3101785,and rs 13137343)were selected with the HapMap dataset and TaqMan assays.We found that,in normouricemia group,rs938557 was significantly correlated with uric acid(β=11.39±3.74,P=0.0024)adjusting for age,gender and BMI;rs7679916 and rsl3137343 were marginally associated with uric acid concentration(β=5.77±3.O9,P=0.0626;p=-5.99±3.08,P=0.0520).In the hyperuricemia group,no SNP was found to possibly influence uric acid concentration.None of these SNPs showed significant association with hyperuricemia after controlling for age,gender and BMI.There were significant or marginal correlations between certain single nucleotide polymorphisms in the SLC2A9 region and uric acid concentration in Uygur normouricemia samples.In turn,some of these single nucleotide polymorphisms in SLC2A9 may increase the risk of hyperuricemia.

Effect of Eurycoma longifolia stem extract on uric acid excretion in hyperuricemia mice

OBJECTIVE Eurycoma longifolia is a tropical medicinal plant belonging to Simaroubaceae distributed in South East Asia.The aim of this study is to explore the effect and mechanism of E.longifolia stem 70%ethanol extract(EL)and its active com⁃poundson uric acid excretion.METHODS Potassium oxonate(PO)induced hyperuricemia rats and adenine-PO induced hyperuricemia mouse model were used to evaluate the effects of EL.Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography was used to determine the levels of plasma or serum uric acid and creatinine.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was applied to observe kidney pathological changes,Western blot⁃ting was applied to detect protein expression levels of uric acid transporters.Effects of constituents on urate uptake were tested in hU⁃RAT1-expressing HEK293T cells.RESULTS EL significantly reduced serum and plasma uric acid levels at dosages of 100,200 and 400 mg·kg^-1 in hyperuricemia rats and mice,and increased the clearance rate of uric acid and creatinine,improved therenal pathological injury.The protein expression levels of urate reabsorption transporter 1(URAT1)and glucose transporter 9 were down-regulated while sodium-dependent phosphate transporter 1 and ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 were up-regulated in the kidney after EL treat⁃ment.The diterpenes(50μmol·L^-1)isolated from EL showed inhibitory effects on urate uptake in hURAT1-expressing HEK293T cells,and the effect of eurycomanol was further confirmed in vivo.CONCLUSION EL significantly reduced blood uric acid levels and prevented pathological changes of kidney in PO induced hyperuricemia animal model,improved renal urate transports.We partly clarified the mechanism was related to suppressing effect of URAT1 by diterpene in EL.This study is the first to demonstrate that EL plays a role in hyperuricemia by promoting renal uric acid excretion.

Prevalence of Hyperuricemia and Associated Factors in the Yi Farmers and Migrants of Southwestern China: A Cross-sectional Study

Hyperuricemia(HUA) is a common metabolic disease caused by increased formation or reduced excretion of uric acid. Although HUA does not cause direct damage to the body, it is closely related to the occurrence of various diseases, including gout,hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease.

Depression is associated with increased C-reactive protein levels in patients with heart failure and hyperuricemia

Psychological depression is considered a major determinant of health status in patients with heart failure （HF）. The incidence of depression in HF is four to five times higher than that in the general population.

Status of Serum Uric Acid and Hyperuricemia among Adults in China:China Nutrition and Health Surveillance(2015)

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the serum uric acid levels and the prevalence of hyperuricemia among Chinese adults in 2015 and compare the differences between urban and rural areas,as well as the differences between eastern,central,and western regions.Methods A national representative sample of 180,208 participants were included using a stratified,multistage,and random sampling method.The demographic characteristics and blood samples were collected to determine the serum uric acid levels and prevalence of hyperuricemia among subgroups using complicated sampling weight.A t-test or ANOVA was used for normally-distributed data.The Kruskal-Wallis rank test was used for skewed-distributed data.The Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test was used to compare the difference in categorical variables.Results The weighted mean uric acid level in Chinese adults was 310.4μmol/L(317.5μmol/L in urban areas and 302.9μmol/L in rural areas).The weighted average values of uric acid in eastern,central,and western China were 315.5μmol/L,303.5μmol/L,and 310.4μmol/L,respectively.The weighted prevalence of hyperuricemia in Chinese adults was 14.6%,with a prevalence of 16.5%in urban areas and12.5%in rural areas.The weighted prevalence of hyperuricemia in eastern,central,and western China was 16.0%,12.5%,and 14.8%,respectively.Conclusion The uric acid level in Chinese adults is relatively high.Effective actions are warranted to improve this metabolic abnormality.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) inhibits renal reabsorption by regulating expression of urate transporters in fructose-induced hyperuricemia

Objective:Hyperuricemia is an excess of urate in blood.The kidneys play important parts in urate excretion,which involves handling reabsorption and secretion.A series of urate transporters is responsible for this process:urate transporter (URAT)1,glucose transporter (GLUT)9,organic anion transporter (OAT)1 and OAT3.Excessive fructose intake may result in increased serum urate levels.Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) has been used as an edible vegetable and traditional Chinese medicine.Studies have shown that chicory is a promising anti-hyperuricemia agent and we explored the mechanism of its uricosuric effect via a renal pathway.Methods:Hyperuricemia was induced in rats by administration of 10% fructose.The uricosuric effect was evaluated by determining the serum urate level.Renal excretory function was detected by the clearance rate of creatinine,clearance rate of uric acid and histology.The location and expression of URAT1,GLUT9,OAT1 and OAT3 their mRNA expression in kidneys were analyzed.Results:Chicory decreased serum levels of urate and creatinine significantly,and promoted the clearance of creatinine and urate,as well as improving renal pathologic changes due to hyperuricemia.Chicory inhibited expression of URAT1 and GLUT9 markedly in a dosedependent manner,but showed no influence on expression of OAT1 or OAT3.Conclusion:Chicory might be a promising anti-hyperuricemia agent.It can promote renal excretion of urate by inhibiting urate reabsorption,which may be related to downregulation of mRNA and protein expression of URAT1 and GLUT9.

Protective Effects of α-Lipoic Acid on Vascular Oxidative Stress in Rats with Hyperuricemia

The aim of the present study was to observe the protective effects of α-lipoic acid(ALA)on vascular injury in rats with hyperuricemia(HUA).The ALA treatment groups(10,30 and 90 mg/kg,respectively)were administered with ALA via gavage for 2 weeks.Subsequently,the levels of blood urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(CREA),uric acid(UA),total cholesterol(TC),high density lipoprotein-C(HDL-C)and low density lipoprotein-C(LDL-C)were measured;the activities of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),catalase(CAT),malonaldehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and xanthine oxidase(XOD)were also determined.The thoracic aorta of rats in each experimental group was observed under a light microscope;ultrastructural analysis was performed.SOD and CAT protein contents were investigated by Western blotting.The results revealed that:i)Compared with the model group,the levels of UA were decreased in the ALA groups and the levels of BUN,CREA,TC,and LDL-C decreased in the 30 and 90 mg/kg ALA groups(P<0.05);ii)compared with the model group,the activities of GSH-Px,SOD and XOD were increased and the levels of MDA were reduced in the 90 mg/kg ALA group (P<0.05);and iii)in the model and 10 mg/kg ALA groups,edema and shedding were observed in endothelial cells.Compared with the model and 10 mg/kg ALA groups,the 30 and 90 mg/kg ALA groups exhibited fewer swollen endothelial cells.In summary,the results of the present study indicated that HUA resulted in vascular oxidative stress injury and decreased the activity of antioxidative enzymes,which leads to endothelial cell damage and vascular lesions.ALA may serve as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of HUA-induced endothelial dysfunction.