Uric acid and hypertension: cause or effect?
Uric acid was first associated with primary hypertension in 1874, yet its role in this condition remains unclear. Historically, uric acid was thought to be a secondary response to hypertension or its associated conditions. However, more recent experimental and clinical studies suggest that uric acid could have a contributory role in the pathogenesis of elevated blood pressure. More studies are needed to help dissect the potential mechanisms by which uric acid could initiate this response. It remains possible that uric acid is a marker for xanthine oxidase-associated oxidants and that the latter could be driving the hypertensive response. However, the weight of the evidence suggests that uric acid is a true modifying and possibly causal factor for human primary hypertension. Hence, early management of hyperuricemia might delay the development of essential hypertension.
Mazzali
Marilda
M
Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado-Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Kanbay
Mehmet
M
Segal
Mark S
MS
Shafiu
Mohamed
M
Jalal
Diana
D
Feig
Daniel I
DI
Johnson
Richard J
RJ
D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D006074:Gout Suppressants; D014527:Uric Acid; D000493:Allopurinol