Purine and Uric Acid Metabolism

Question 1

What product is formed at the end of purine metabolism?

Answer 1

Uric Acid

Question 2

What condition is caused by hyperuricaemia?

Answer 2

Gout

Question 3

What are the clinical consequences of high uric acid?

Answer 3

Hyperuricaemia –> Uric Acid Crystals

Deposited in joints and can cause inflammation, pain swelling and redness

Question 4

What happens to solubility of uric acid if pH V?

Answer 4

Solubility decreases

Question 5

What are some examples of purines?

Answer 5

Guanine, Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine

Question 6

What are the function of purines and dietary sources?

Answer 6

Role: Building blocks of DNA & RNA

1) Meat, 2) Seafood, 3) Soya/Yeast extracts 4) Fructose 5) Offal: Liver, heart, kidney

Question 7

Why do men get more affected by Gout?

Answer 7

Oestrogen promotes uric acid excretion

Question 8

What are the 5 risk factors of gout?

Answer 8

1) CHD 2) Diabetes 3) Obesity 4) High BP 5) Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Question 9

What is the role of Xanthine Oxidase?

Answer 9

Catalyses conversion of purine to xanthine to uric acid