Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia: a silent activator of the innate immune system.
Authors Joosten LAB, Crisan TO, Bjornstad P, Johnson RJ
Submitted By Petter Bjornstad on 2/12/2020
Status Published
Journal Nature reviews. Rheumatology
Year 2020
Date Published 2/1/2020
Volume : Pages 16 : 75 - 86
PubMed Reference 31822862
Abstract Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia affects ~20% of the general population in the USA,
with variable rates in other countries. Historically, asymptomatic
hyperuricaemia was considered a benign laboratory finding with little clinical
importance in the absence of gout or kidney stones. Yet, increasing evidence
suggests that asymptomatic hyperuricaemia can predict the development of
hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease and might
contribute to disease by stimulating inflammation. Although urate has been
classically viewed as an antioxidant with beneficial effects, new data suggest
that both crystalline and soluble urate activate various pro-inflammatory
pathways. This Review summarizes what is known about the role of urate in the
inflammatory response. Further research is needed to define the role of
asymptomatic hyperuricaemia in these pro-inflammatory pathways.

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