Background: Uric acid is a heterocyclic weak organic acid,
formed during the oxidation of purine nucleotides in humans. The levels of
serum uric acid (UA) alteration in human beings cause major health problems due
to its pivotal role in the aetiology of many systemic diseases. Many research
works in the recent past have shown elevated uric acid levels in diabetic
subjects. Despite a large number of research activities, the prevalence of
diabetic related complications is increasing worldwide. Some reports indicate
that uric acid elevation is related to diabetic complications, whereas a few
claim that uric acid elevation is also seen in pre-diabetic conditions. The
reason for this elevation of uric acid and a possible role of insulin in this
regard is obscure.
Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the uric acid status
in alloxan diabetic rats with an attempt to establish the possible cause for
uric acid elevation.
Methods: The studies were carried out on healthy male Wistar
rats with a body weight of 150-180g. The rats were divided into two groups, the
normal group (Group-1) and the alloxan diabetic group (Group-2), with six
animals in each group. Induction of diabetes was done by administering a single
intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared aqueous solution of Alloxan
Monohydrate (150mg/ Kg body weight) prepared in normal saline, to the overnight
fasted rats. Rats with blood-glucose levels above 250mg/dL were considered
diabetic and were employed in the study. After the stipulated period of 30
days, the animals (Group-1 and Group-2) were anaesthetised using Isoflurane and
sacrificed. They were dissected immediately, and liver tissue was procured,
blotted to remove blood stains, and placed in cold phosphate buffer saline (pH
7.4). Blood samples were collected using heparin as an anticoagulant. The uric
acid levels in plasma, erythrocytes and liver tissue, as well as the levels of
ADA in plasma and liver tissue, were estimated. Results were expressed as mean
± SD, and statistical significance was assessed using Student’s t-test.
Results: A significant (p<0.001) rise in uric acid levels
in plasma, erythrocytes and liver tissue, as well as increased levels of ADA in
plasma and liver tissue was observed in alloxan diabetic rats compared to
normal control.
Conclusion: The increased uric acid levels noticed in
alloxan diabetic rats may be due to increased catabolism of purines, as
evidenced by increased activity of ADA. This study was limited by a small
sample size, warranting further investigations with larger cohorts.
Author(s) Details
C. V. Yogaraje Gowda
Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bengaluru-560 002,
Karnataka, India and Department of Research and Development, Saveetha Institute
of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai-602 105, India.
S. Senthilkumar
Department of Research and Development, Saveetha Institute of Medical and
Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai-602 105, India.
R. T. Kashinath
Department of Biochemistry, Department of Research and Development,
Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, Purle, Shivamogga- 577 222, Karnataka,
India.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v6/6976
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