Hyperuricaemia does not impair cardiovascular function in healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possibility that uric acid (UA) can impair endothelial function, an important surrogate for atherosclerosis.


METHODS
UA was administered locally or systemically to healthy adult men and women in a series of randomised placebo controlled studies. This temporarily raised serum UA concentrations, so that the potential effects of hyperuricaemia on mechanisms of cardiovascular disease could be studied.


METHODS
The effects of UA administration on basal blood flow and responses to locally administered acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, and L-N(G)-monomethylarginine were studied in the forearm vascular bed with venous occlusion plethysmography. The effects of hyperuricaemia on systemic vascular resistance, large artery compliance, and baroreflex sensitivity were examined by validated non-invasive techniques.


RESULTS
UA administration caused a twofold increase in serum concentrations. However, there were no acute effects on haemodynamic variables, basal forearm blood flow, or nitric oxide dependent endothelial function.


CONCLUSIONS
Unlike other risk factors associated with endothelial dysfunction, acute exposure to high concentrations of UA does not impair cardiovascular function in healthy men. These findings do not support a causal link between hyperuricaemia and atherosclerosis.
Waring
W S
WS
Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. s.waring@ed.ac.uk
Adwani
S H
SH
Breukels
O
O
Webb
D J
DJ
Maxwell
S R J
SR
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D011674:Pulse; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine / Q000494:pharmacology
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009599:Nitroprusside; D014527:Uric Acid; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D000109:Acetylcholine