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Reduced serum uric acid levels in neuromyelitis optica: serum uric acid levels are reduced during relapses in NMO
Author(s) -
Min J.H.,
Waters P.,
Vincent A.,
Lee S.,
Y. Shin H.,
H. Lee K.,
Kim B. J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2012.01643.x
Subject(s) - neuromyelitis optica , medicine , uric acid , multiple sclerosis , gastroenterology , biomarker , hyperuricemia , disease , immunology , biochemistry , chemistry
Objectives Uric acid ( UA ), a product of purine metabolism, is known to be reduced in patients with various neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis ( MS ). However, it has still remained unclear whether there is a close relationship between UA and neuromyelitis optica ( NMO ). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum UA levels and disease activity in NMO . Methods Retrospective analysis was made of blood samples during relapses ( n = 48) and during stable disease ( n = 49) from 20 patients with NMO . As controls, 59 blood samples during relapses from 39 patients with MS and 90 samples from healthy subjects were obtained. Spine magnetic resonance images ( MRI s) performed during relapses ( n = 24) in NMO were analysed. Results The results indicated that UA levels during relapses in NMO were significantly lower compared to healthy subjects ( P < 0.01), but not different from those during relapses in MS , and that reduced UA levels during relapses in NMO were normalized during stable disease. However, UA levels during relapses were not correlated with G d enhancement in spine MRI . Conclusion UA levels are associated with clinical disease status in patients with NMO . Further investigations are recommended to elucidate the role of UA as a biomarker of disease activity in NMO .