The potential for xanthine oxidase inhibition in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.
There is a now a wealth of epidemiological, animal, and clinical data to suggest the benefits of uric acid reduction and hxanthine oxidase inhibition in prevention of vascular disease. This review discusses the available epidemiological, preclinical, and clinical data and considers arguments for and against a role for serum uric acid in common cardiovascular disorders. It concludes that large scale trials with clinical endpoints are justified to address this important question and to define whether use of drugs such as allopurinol should be a routine part of preventative strategies.
Higgins
Peter
P
Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK.
Dawson
Jesse
J
Walters
Matthew
M