title: The "switch-off" mechanism of spontaneous resolution of acute gout attack.
abstract: Urate crystal size change and the modification of coated proteins by oxygen radicals released by stimulated polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) could represent a likely "switch-off" mechanism of the spontaneous resolution of acute gout attack. The absorption spectra and the uric acid, allantoin and urea concentrations were determined before and after in vitro exposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals to superoxide anion (O2) photochemically generated. The results showed a complete dissolution of MSU crystals after incubation under O2-, with decrease of uric acid and increase of allantoin and urea concentrations. Our results were confirmed by polarizing, electron microscopy and calorimetric techniques. The results obtained seem to confirm that the spontaneous resolution of acute gout attack could be attributed to the dissolving effect on urate crystals and the modification of coated proteins by O2- released by phagocytizing PMN.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rheumatology, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marcolongo
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Calabria
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lalumera
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alessandrini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavallo
mesh_terms: D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002151:Calorimetry; D003460:Crystallization; D006073:Gout / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides; D014527:Uric Acid