Uric Acid Is Independently Associated with Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Chinese Population

Background

Association between hyperuricaemia and chronic kidney disease has been studied widely, but the influence of uric acid on the kidneys remains controversial. We aimed to summarize the association between uric acid and diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and to evaluate the role of uric acid in DKD.

Methods

We enrolled 3,212 type 2 diabetic patients in a cross-sectional study. The patients’ basic characteristics (sex, age, BMI, duration of disease, and blood pressure) and chemical parameters (triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), microalbuminuria, creatinine, and uric acid) were recorded, and the association between uric acid and DKD was evaluated.

Results

In the 3,212 diabetic patients, the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease was higher in hyperuricaemic patients than in patients with normouricaemia (68.3% vs 41.5%). The prevalence of DKD increased with increasing uric acid (p <0.0001). Logistic analysis identified uric acid as an independent predictor of DKD (p <0.0001; adjusted OR (95%CI) = 1.005 (1.004–1.007), p <0.0001). Uric acid was positively correlated with albuminuria and creatinine levels (p<0.0001) but negatively correlated with eGFR (p<0.0001) after adjusting for confounding factors.

Conclusions

Hyperuricaemia is a risk factor for DKD. Serum uric acid levels within the high-normal range are independently associated with DKD.     

绝经后女性高尿酸血症患者性激素结合球蛋白与血尿酸的相关研究

目的：研究绝经后女性高尿酸血症患者血浆中性激素结合球蛋白（sexhormonebindingglobulin,SHBG）水平与血尿酸水平的相关性。方法：选取绝经后女性404例,其中高尿酸血症组204例,正常对照组200例,测量所有研究对象体重、身高、腰围、臀围、收缩压（SBP）、舒张压（DBP）,并计算体重指数（BMI）和腰臀比（WHR）,检测血尿酸（UA）、空腹血糖（FBG）、总胆固醇（TG）、甘油三酯（TC）低密度脂蛋白（LDL）、高密度脂蛋白（HDL）、雌激素（E2）、雄激素（T）、空腹胰岛素（INS）及SHBG,并计算胰岛素抵抗指数（Homa-IR）。结果：与绝经后女性尿酸正常者相比,高尿酸血症的患者UA,WHR,TC,FBG,INS,Homa-IR明显升高（P〈0．01）,DBP,WAIST和LDL升高（P〈0．05）,SHBG水平明显下降（P〈0．01）;SHBG与INs、uA、TG呈显著负相关（P〈0．05）,SHBG与E2呈显著正相关P〈0．01）。结论：绝经后女性中高尿酸血症患者的低血浆SHBG水平与高血尿酸水平显著相关,血浆SHBG水平下降与胰岛素抵抗可能高度相关,低sHBG可能作为绝经后女性患高尿酸血症的高危因素。     

尿酸氧化酶基因的克隆、表达及其产物的应用

克隆了产朊假丝酵母(Candida utilis)AS2-117尿酸氧化酶(Urate Oxidase,Uricase,EC1.7.3.3)的基因。将此基因插入原核表达质粒pET21a后转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),获得高表达的重组转化子菌株。经IPTG诱导,重组尿酸酶基因表达量可达菌体可溶性蛋白的40%。重组尿酸氧化酶为有酶活性的可溶蛋白。Western印迹分析证实表达产物有免疫学活性。经DEAE DE52纤维素离子交换柱层析纯化,目的蛋白纯度可达95%。重组蛋白和天然蛋白的理化特征比较证明重组蛋白的热稳定性有较大提高。酶盒配制和临床应用实验表明重组蛋白可代替天然蛋白进行临床血清尿酸的分析。     

Serum Macroelement and Microelement Concentrations in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Cross-Sectional Study

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases. However, its pathogenesis is unclear. We aim to explore the potential relationships between serum macroelements/microelements and PCOS. A total of 1137 women were involved in the current study. PCOS was defined according to ESHRE/ASRM, and complete blood samples were collected. Serum macroelements (calcium and magnesium) and microelements (copper, zinc, and iron) were assayed through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. PCOS patients had significantly higher copper concentrations than patients without PCOS (P < 0.001). By contrast, PCOS patients had lower serum calcium levels than patients without PCOS (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the levels of serum zinc, magnesium, and iron between PCOS and non-PCOS patients. PCOS patients with acne had higher magnesium levels than those without acne (P = 0.020), and PCOS patients with hirsutism had lower magnesium levels than those without hirsutism (P = 0.037). High serum copper and low calcium levels may be correlated with PCOS. Magnesium concentrations are correlated with acne and hirsutism in PCOS patients. These results provide clues to explore the mechanism of PCOS and guidance for element treatments in PCOS patients.     

Common Variants Related to Serum Uric Acid Concentrations Are Associated with Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Secretion in a Chinese Population

Background

Elevated serum uric acid concentration is an independent risk factor and predictor of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Whether the uric acid-associated genes have an impact on T2D remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of the uric acid-associated genes on the risk of T2D as well as glucose metabolism and insulin secretion.

Method

We recruited 2,199 normal glucose tolerance subjects from the Shanghai Diabetes Study I and II and 2,999 T2D patients from the inpatient database of Shanghai Diabetes Institute. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapped in or near 11 loci (PDZK1, GCKR, LRP2, SLC2A9, ABCG2, LRRC16A, SLC17A1, SLC17A3, SLC22A11, SLC22A12 and SF1) were genotyped and serum biochemical parameters related to uric acid and T2D were determined.

Results

SF1 rs606458 showed strong association to T2D in both males and females (p = 0.034 and 0.0008). In the males, LRRC16A was associated with 2-h insulin and insulin secretion (p = 0.009 and 0.009). SLC22A11 was correlated with HOMA-B and insulin secretion (p = 0.048 and 0.029). SLC2A9 rs3775948 was associated with 2-h glucose (p = 0.043). In the females, LRP2 rs2544390 and rs1333049 showed correlations with fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and insulin secretion (p = 0.028, 0.033 and 0.052 and p = 0.034, 0.047 and 0.038, respectively). SLC2A9 rs11722228 was correlated with 2-h glucose, 2-h insulin and insulin secretion (p = 0.024, 0.049 and 0.049, respectively).

Conclusions

Our results indicated that the uric acid-associated genes have an impact on the risk of T2D, glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in a Chinese population.     

Serum Uric Acid and Chronic Kidney Disease: The Role of Hypertension

Background

There are inconsistent findings on the role of hyperuricemia as an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hypertension has been implicated as a factor influencing the association between serum uric acid and CKD. In this population-based study we investigated the association between serum uric acid and decline in renal function and tested whether hypertension moderates this association.

Methods

We included 2601 subjects aged 55 years and over from the Rotterdam Study. Serum uric acid and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were assessed at baseline. After average 6.5 years of follow-up, second eGFR was assessed. CKD was defined as eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m². All associations were corrected for socio-demographic and cardiovascular factors.

Results

Each unit (mg/dL) increase in serum uric acid was associated with 0.19 ml/min per 1.73 m² faster annual decline in eGFR. While the association between serum uric acid and incidence of CKD was not significant in our study population (Hazard Ratio: 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98–1.28), incorporating our results in a meta-analysis with eleven published studies revealed a significant association (Relative Risk: 1.18, 95%CI: 1.15–1.22). In the stratified analyses, we observed that the associations of serum uric acid with eGFR decline and incident CKD were stronger in hypertensive subjects (P for interaction = 0.046 and 0.024, respectively).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that hyperuricemia is independently associated with a decline in renal function. Stronger association in hypertensive individuals may indicate that hypertension mediates the association between serum uric acid and CKD.     

Serum Hormone Concentrations in Transgender Individuals Receiving Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy: A Longitudinal Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveTo examine the association of various gender-affirming hormone therapy regimens with blood sex hormone concentrations in transgender individuals.MethodsThis retrospective study included transgender people receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy between January 2000 and September 2018. Data on patient demographics, laboratory values, and hormone dose and frequency were collected. Nonparametric tests and linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with serum hormone concentrations.ResultsOverall, 196 subjects (134 transgender women and 62 transgender men), with a total of 941 clinical visits, were included in this study. Transgender men receiving transdermal testosterone had a significantly lower median concentration of serum total testosterone when compared with those receiving injectable preparations (326.0 ng/dL vs 524.5 ng/dL, respectively, P = .018). Serum total estradiol concentrations in the transgender women were higher in those receiving intramuscular estrogen compared with those receiving oral and transdermal estrogen (366.0 pg/mL vs 102.0 pg/mL vs 70.8 pg/mL, respectively, P < .001). A dose-dependent increase in the hormone levels was observed for oral estradiol (P < .001) and injectable testosterone (P = .018) but not for intramuscular and transdermal estradiol. Older age and a history of gonadectomy in both the transgender men and women were associated with significantly higher concentrations of serum gender-affirming sex hormones.ConclusionIn the transgender men, all routes and formulations of testosterone appeared to be equally effective in achieving concentrations in the male range. The intramuscular injections of estradiol resulted in the highest serum concentrations of estradiol, whereas transdermal estradiol resulted in the lowest concentration. There was positive relationship between both oral estradiol and injectable testosterone dose and serum sex hormone concentrations in transgender people receiving GAHT.     

急性非ST 段抬高性心肌梗死患者血清尿酸水平与N末端B 型钠尿肽原的相关性分析

目的:探讨急性非ST段抬高性心肌梗死(NSTEMI)患者血清尿酸水平与N末端B型钠尿肽原(NT-pro BNP)的相关性分析。方法:将143例NSTEMI患者按照入院时血清尿酸四分位数分为四组:Ⅰ组(尿酸284.18μmol/L)、Ⅱ组(284.19~336.53μmol/L),Ⅲ组(336.54~390.78μmol/L),Ⅳ(尿酸390.79μmol/L);按照血清NT-pro BNP中位数分为2组:NT-pro BNP571.56 pg/m L组和NT-pro BNP≥571.56 pg/m L组;比较各组相关指标的差异。结果:Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组及Ⅳ组四组的NT-pro BNP、GRACE危险评分、CK-MB、LEVF、c Tn I比较统计学差异(P0.05),Ⅳ组NT-pro BNP、GRACE危险评分、c Tn I、CK-MB高于Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组,Ⅲ组高于Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组(P0.05);NT-pro BNP≥571.56 pg/m L组血清尿酸、GRACE危险评分、c Tn I、CK-MB高于NT-pro BNP571.56pg/m L组(P0.05)。血清尿酸分别与NT-pro BNP、GRACE危险评分呈现正相关(P0.05)。结论:血清尿酸水平与NSTEMI患者的NT-pro BNP密切相关,临床检测血清尿酸水平对于评估NSTEMI患者NT-pro BNP水平具有重要的意义。     

Association of Serum Uric Acid and Coronary Artery Disease in Premenopausal Women

Objective

To date, no study in the published literature has investigated the role of various serum uric acid (SUA) concentrations in the development of angiographically-proven coronary artery disease (CAD) in premenopausal women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role SUA levels may play in the prevalence, severity, and prognosis of CAD in premenopausal women.

Methods

This cross-sectional retrospective study included 607 premenopausal women who had undergone coronary angiography. The CAD diagnosis was based upon stenosis affecting ≥50% of the luminal diameter. Association of the SUA levels with CAD prevalence, severity, and clinical outcomes were assessed by statistical analysis.

Results

In total, 369 (60.8%) of the patients were diagnosed with CAD. The CAD patients had significantly higher SUA levels than those without CAD (5.3±1.9 vs. 4.8±1.7 mg/dL, P = 0.001). The SUA levels were found to be significantly associated with CAD prevalence (P = 0.013). Patients with higher levels of SUA also showed increased rates of multivessel disease and composite end-points, such as major adverse cardiac events. Furthermore, multivariate analysis identified abnormally high levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) as an independent risk factor for CAD (OR 1.51 (1.11–2.53), P<0.05).

Conclusions

The SUA levels are significantly associated with the prevalence of CAD. The SUA levels may be a predictor for incidence of major cardiovascular events in premenopausal women.     

Serum Uric Acid Levels and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Healthy Adults

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in a population of healthy subjects.MethodsWe studied 1,573 healthy adults (25 to 64 years old) in the population laboratory of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The study was designed according to the World Health Organization MONICA (Multinational Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease) project with use of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for metabolic syndrome.ResultsThe crude prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 29.9% (age-adjusted, 27.5%). The rate of metabolic syndrome significantly increased in higher quartiles of serum uric acid in both sexes but especially in women (P < .0001 versus P = .026). The bivariate correlation was significant between uric acid levels and age, total serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures; however, there was not a significant correlation between serum uric acid concentrations and fasting plasma glucose.ConclusionThese data indicate that an independent relationship exists between hyperuricemia and the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, hyperuricemia is significantly correlated with hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and visceral obesity. Early detection of hyperuricemia seems to be essential for prevention of the metabolic syndrome. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:298-304)     

Serum Uric Acid and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Non-Diabetic Chinese Men

Increased serum uric acid (SUA) levels may be involved in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in men presenting with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and/or insulin resistance. We aimed to determine the independent relationship between SUA and NAFLD in non-diabetic Chinese male population, and to explore the determinants of SUA levels among indexes of adiposity, lipid, and genotypes pertaining to triglycerides metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and SUA concentrations. A total of 1440 men, classified depending on the presence of ultrasonographically detected NAFLD, underwent a complete healthy checkup program. Genotypes were extracted from our previously established genome-wide association study database. After adjusting for age, smoking, drinking, body mass index, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and components of metabolic syndrome, the odds ratio for NAFLD, comparing the highest with the lowest SUA quartile, was 2.81 (95% confidence interval 1.66–4.76). A stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis (R² = 0.238, P<0.001) retained age, waist circumference, serum creatinine, triglycerides, the Q141K variant in ABCG2 (rs2231142) and NAFLD as significant predictors of SUA levels (all P<0.001). Besides, ALT and Met196Arg variant in TNFRSF1B (rs1061622) additionally associated with SUA among individuls with NAFLD. Our data suggest that in Chinese men, elevated SUA is significantly associated with NAFLD, independent of insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders, such as central obesity or hypertriglyceridemia. Meanwhile, among subjects with NAFLD, index of liver damage, such as elevated ALT combined with genetic susceptibility to inflammation associated with increased SUA levels.     

Theobromine Inhibits Uric Acid Crystallization. A Potential Application in the Treatment of Uric Acid Nephrolithiasis

Purpose

To assess the capacity of methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine and paraxanthine) to inhibit uric acid crystallization, and to evaluate their potential application in the treatment of uric acid nephrolithiasis.

Materials and Methods

The ability of methylxathines to inhibit uric acid nucleation was assayed turbidimetrically. Crystal morphology and its modification due to the effect of theobromine were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ability of theobromine to inhibit uric acid crystal growth on calculi fragments resulting from extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was evaluated using a flow system.

Results

The turbidimetric assay showed that among the studied methylxanthines, theobromine could markedly inhibit uric acid nucleation. SEM images showed that the presence of theobromine resulted in thinner uric acid crystals. Furthermore, in a flow system theobromine blocked the regrowth of post-ESWL uric acid calculi fragments.

Conclusions

Theobromine, a natural dimethylxanthine present in high amounts in cocoa, acts as an inhibitor of nucleation and crystal growth of uric acid. Therefore, theobromine may be clinically useful in the treatment of uric acid nephrolithiasis.     

High Serum Uric Acid Increases the Risk for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Prospective Observational Study

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common form of chronic liver disease, and serum uric acid is observed to be significantly elevated in NAFLD patients. However, whether this elevation is causal, a bystander, or a consequence of NAFLD remains unclear. We performed a population-based prospective study among the employees of Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company Ltd., Ningbo, China to investigate whether the elevation of serum uric acid has a casual role for NAFLD. A total of 6890 initially NAFLD-free subjects were followed up for 3 years. Overall, 11.80% (813/6890) subjects developed NAFLD over 3 years of follow-up. The cumulative incidence of NAFLD increased with progressively higher baseline serum uric acid levels (the cumulative incidence was 7.2%, 9.5%, 11.5%, 13.8%, and 17.2% in quintile 1, quintile 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively; P value for trend <0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that serum uric acid levels were independently and positively associated with the risk for incident NAFLD; the age-, gender- and metabolic syndrome adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) for the subjects in quintile 2, 3, 4 and 5 versus quintile 1 was 1.18 (0.91–1.54), 1.32 (1.03–1.70), 1.39 (1.09–1.78) and 1.50 (1.18–1.92), respectively. Taken together, our prospective observational study showed that elevation of serum uric acid levels independently predicts increase risk for incident NAFLD.     

Serum Uric Acid Levels and the Risk of Impaired Fasting Glucose: A Prospective Study in Adults of North China

Objective

To prospectively investigate the association between serum uric acid (SUA) level and incidence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in adult Chinese.

Methods

We evaluated 13,328 women and 41,350 men without diabetes and IFG. The participants were classified into quintile according to baseline level of SUA. Data were analyzed to examine the association between SUA levels and the incidence of IFG. We used Cox regression models to estimate the relative risk of IFG after adjusting for known risk factors.

Results

For men, the second quintile of SUA has the lowest cumulative incidence of IFG (29.9%); the fifth quintile of SUA has the highest cumulative incidence of IFG (35.6%). After corrected with Cox regression, the first quartile and the fourth quartile have higher cumulative incidence of IFG than the second quintile, with the HR of 1.11(1.05-1.17) and 1.07(1.01-1.13), respectively. For women, the first quartile of SUA has the lowest cumulative incidence of IFG (20.7%), while the fifth quintile of SUA has the highest cumulative incidence of IFG (30.0%). However, there is no significant difference in IFG between different quintile after adjusted with Cox regression.

Conclusions

The results of this prospective study suggest that there is a higher risk of developing IFG in association with low or high SUA concentrations for men. These relationships were independent of other known risk factors. There is no significant correlation in the risk of developing IFG in association with SUA concentrations for women. Analyses excluding participants with hypertension or with hyperlipidemia and analyses with participants stratified by age reached similar conclusion.     

Altered Circadian Relationship Between Serum Nitric Oxide,Carbon Dioxide,and Uric Acid in Multiple Sclerosis

The free radical nitric oxide (NO^·) is involved in a variety of diverse biological processes from acting as a vasodilator in the cardiovascular system to being the rate-limiting component in the production of peroxynitrite (ONOO^?), a contributor to neurodegenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Uric acid (UA), the end product of purine metabolism in humans and a selective inhibitor of toxic reactions attributed to radicals formed by the interaction of ONOO^? and CO₂, is generally low in MS patients. We investigated the relationship between serum ONOO^?, CO₂, and UA in MS patients and normal controls by comparing the circadian characteristics of the NO^· metabolites nitrite/nitrate (NO), CO₂, and UA. In this preliminary study, we found the functional relationship ascribed to the circadian timing of the peak and trough levels of NO, CO₂, and UA in healthy subjects to be clearly altered in MS patients. These findings suggest that alterations in the temporal relationship between the 24 h pattern in serum ONOO^? formation and UA may either contribute to or reflect the disease processes in MS.     

Altered Circadian Relationship Between Serum Nitric Oxide, Carbon Dioxide, and Uric Acid in Multiple Sclerosis

The free radical nitric oxide (NO^·) is involved in a variety of diverse biological processes from acting as a vasodilator in the cardiovascular system to being the rate-limiting component in the production of peroxynitrite (ONOO^-), a contributor to neurodegenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Uric acid (UA), the end product of purine metabolism in humans and a selective inhibitor of toxic reactions attributed to radicals formed by the interaction of ONOO^- and CO₂, is generally low in MS patients. We investigated the relationship between serum ONOO^-, CO₂, and UA in MS patients and normal controls by comparing the circadian characteristics of the NO^· metabolites nitrite/nitrate (NO), CO₂, and UA. In this preliminary study, we found the functional relationship ascribed to the circadian timing of the peak and trough levels of NO, CO₂, and UA in healthy subjects to be clearly altered in MS patients. These findings suggest that alterations in the temporal relationship between the 24 h pattern in serum ONOO^- formation and UA may either contribute to or reflect the disease processes in MS.     

冠心病患者血清尿酸、高敏C 反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原水平变化 的临床研究

目的:观察冠心病患者血清中尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原水平的变化.方法:选取2010年11月至2011年11月于我院就诊的68例冠心病患者(稳定型心绞痛21例,不稳定型心绞痛24例,急性心肌梗死13例)作为研究对象,并选取同期于我院体检中心体检的62例健康人为对照组,检测受试者血清中尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原的水平.结果:研究组患者血清中UA、CRP和FBG水平显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).与稳定型心绞痛组比,不稳定型心绞痛的CRP水平增高(5.34±1.98 mg/L vs.11.36±2.73 mg/L,P＜0.05),急性心肌梗死组的UA (345.63±86.4 μmol/L vs.493.76±101.2 μmol/L,P＜0.05)、CRP (5.34±1.98mg/L vs.21.3±2.24 mg/L,P＜0.05)和FBG(3.86±1.34 g/L vs.6.85±2.36 g/L,P＜0.05)水平显著增高,与不稳定型心绞痛组比,急性心肌梗死组的UA(378.91±89.7 μmol/L vs.493.76±101.2 μmol/L,P＜0.05)、CRP(11.36±2.73 mg/L vs.21.3±2.24 mg/L,P＜0.05)和FBG(4.27±2.08 g/L vs.6.85±2.36 g/L,P＜0.05)水平显著增高(P＜0.05).结论:冠心病患者血清中尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白和纤维蛋白原的水平升高,3个指标可用于评估治疗效果和预后.     

Metabolic Syndrome,Sarcopenia and Role of Sex and Age: Cross-Sectional Analysis of Kashiwa Cohort Study

Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that effects of cardiovascular risk factors may vary depending on sex and age. In this study, we assessed the associations of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with sarcopenia and its components in older adults, and examined whether the associations vary by sex and age. We also tested if any one of the MetS components could explain the associations. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline data from the cohort study conducted in Kashiwa city, Chiba, Japan in 2012 which included 1971 functionally-independent, community-dwelling Japanese adults aged 65 years or older (977 men, 994 women). Sarcopenia was defined based on appendicular skeletal muscle mass, grip strength and usual gait speed. MetS was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel-III criteria. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 14.2% in men and 22.1% in women, while the prevalence of MetS was 43.6% in men and 28.9% in women. After adjustment for potential confounders, MetS was positively associated with sarcopenia in men aged 65 to 74 years (odds ratio 5.5; 95% confidence interval 1.9–15.9) but not in older men or women. Among the sarcopenia components, MetS was associated with lower muscle mass and grip strength, particularly in men aged 65 to 74 years. The associations of MetS with sarcopenia and its components were mainly driven by abdominal obesity regardless of sex or age. In conclusion, MetS is positively associated with sarcopenia in older men. The association is modified by sex and age, but abdominal obesity is the main contributor to the association across sex and age.     

Serum Uric Acid Levels of Healthy Caucasian,Chinese and Haida Indian Males in British Columbia

Because previous studies have shown that serum uric acid levels are higher in members of the Filipino and Maori races than in Caucasians, and because gout seemed unexpectedly common in the Chinese population of Vancouver, a study of serum uric acid levels in Caucasian, Chinese and Haida Indian males was undertaken. The serum uric acid levels of 200 Caucasian, 100 Chinese and 237 Haida Indian males were determined by the ultraviolet spectrophotometric method of Dubbs, which gives a result 0.5 mg. % below that of the more commonly employed method of Grayzel. The mean level of the Caucasians was 4.55 mg. % and that of the Haida Indians 4.41 mg. %; in contrast, the Chinese mean was 5.44 mg. %, a significantly higher figure than the means of the other two groups. No explanation for this finding can be given at present.