title: Decreases in serum uric acid by amelioration of insulin resistance in overweight hypertensive patients: effect of a low-energy diet and an insulin-sensitizing agent.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hyperuricemia and hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance are commonly seen in obese subjects and hypertensive patients. To clarify whether the insulin resistance plays a role in hyperuricemia, we investigated alterations in serum uric acid (UA) concentrations during treatment with a low-energy diet or an insulin-sensitizing agent in overweight hypertensive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight overweight hypertensive patients (14 men and 14 women, mean age 61 +/- 2 years) were assigned to a weight reduction program with a low-energy diet (3360 kJ/day for 3 weeks, n = 14) and to treatment with troglitazone (200 mg twice daily for 8 weeks, n = 14). Measurements of body weight, blood pressure (BP), serum UA, and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test were performed at baseline and the end of the intervention periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body weight and BP decreased significantly in the diet group but not in the troglitazone group at the end of the intervention periods. Levels of blood glucose, plasma insulin, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-R) improved similarly in the two groups. Serum UA concentration decreased by treatment both in the diet (0.4 +/- 0.2 mg/dL, P < .05) and troglitazone groups (1.0 +/- 0.2 mg/dL, P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The amelioration of insulin resistance by either a low-energy diet or troglitazone decreased the serum UA level in overweight hypertensive patients. Insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia, independent of body weight and BP, may play an important role in UA metabolism in multiple risk factor syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Sei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsunoda
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamide
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Minami
authors.forename: Yuhei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D002839:Chromans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077288:Troglitazone; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002839:Chromans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013844:Thiazoles; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D014527:Uric Acid; D000077288:Troglitazone