Uric acid and cardiovascular disease: a renal-cardiac relationship?

Abstract

Elevated serum uric acid is a frequent finding in patients with kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Intrarenal ischaemia, induced by hypertension, increased sympathetic nervous system activity, and hyperinsulinaemia have all been implicated in reduced renal clearance of urate. This frequently results in elevated serum uric acid levels. The association of hyperuricaemia with cardiovascular disease remains controversial. Current evidence suggests that serum uric acid may provide additional prognostic information in patients with essential hypertension. However, there has been no test of the hypothesis that a reduction in serum uric acid would prevent cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, a critical review of the current literature does not support a causal role of serum uric acid in the development of cardiovascular disease. Serum uric acid probably reflects and integrates different risk factors and their possible interactions.

• Authors: B F Culleton
• Journal: Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension (Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens) Vol. 10 Issue 3 Pg. 371-5 (May 2001) ISSN: 1062-4821 [Print] England
• PMID: 11342800 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Uric Acid

Topics

• Cardiovascular Diseases (blood, etiology)
• Humans
• Kidney Diseases (blood, complications)
• Risk Factors
• Uric Acid (blood)