Quiz 3: Uric Acid

Question 1

UA Ranges

Answer 1

male   = 3.5 - 7.2mg/dL
female = 2.6 - 6.0 mg/dL

Question 2

Causes of Hyperuricemia

Answer 2

“Essential”: overproduction or underexcretion
Renal retention
Increased turnover of nucleic acids: myeloproliferative syndromes or chemotherapy
Specific enzyme defects

Question 3

Treatment to Reduce Serum UA Levels

Answer 3

• Stop alcohol consumption.
• Replace thiazine with another antihypertensive drug.
• Use purine restricted diet (bland tasting and poor response)
• Lower body weight

Question 4

Treatment of Gouty Arthritis

Answer 4

• Generic NSAIDs
• COX-2 selective inhibitor
• Intraarticular injection of corticosteroids (prednisone)
• Colchicine

Question 5

UA Measurement Methods

Answer 5

Enzymatic utilizing uricase:
- (EC 1.7.3.3) the enzyme that catalyzes UA to allantoin can be monitored at 293 nm
- Major disadvantage is that non-UA compounds may interfere with readings at 293 nm
Coupled enzyme assays (Enzymatic colorimetric assay):
- UA to allantoin conversion by uricase generates hydrogen peroxide.
- Hydrogen peroxide is coupled with peroxidase or catalase which generates a color indicator reaction