Vitamin C supplementation and serum uric acid: A reaction to hyperuricemia and gout disease

Hyperuricemia and gout are commonly diagnosed in subjects with abnormal purine metabolism. Hyperuricemia is the earliest stage of the gout disease, which is the most common cause of inflammatory arthritis in males over 40 years and females over 60 years old. This work was design to investigate the effect of vitamin C supplements on the serum level of uric acid (UA) in patients suffering from either hyperuricemia or gout disease. The serum creatinine (Cr) level and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured before and after the treatment with vitamin C to study if this treatment would improve the functionality of the renal system of such patients. Thirty males and females' patient were divided into two groups based on their disease condition; hyperuricemia group and gout group 15 patients each, and patients were given 500 mg vitamin C chewable tablet daily for two consecutive months. By the end of the treatment period, the UA level decreased (P < 0.05) in the blood of the hyperuricemic individuals, while no significant change was seen on the serum UA concentration in the gouty patients. Additionally, there was no significant effect on the serum creatinine level or on the GFR in both study groups. In conclusion, 500 mg vitamin C oral daily dosing might be of the therapeutic value in lowering UA levels in hyperuricemic patients.

Uric acid changes for gouty patients and hyperuricemic individuals during the study period.*Denotes significant (P < 0.05) change.136