Uric Acid: Bystander or Active Player in the Development of Cardiovascular and Renal Damage?

Authors

  • Francesca Viazzi Dipartimento di Cardionefrologia, Università di Genova, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST, Istituto Nazionale per la ricerca sul Cancro, Genova
  • Giovanna Leoncini Dipartimento di Cardionefrologia, Università di Genova, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST, Istituto Nazionale per la ricerca sul Cancro, Genova
  • Roberto Pontremoli Dipartimento di Cardionefrologia, Università di Genova, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST, Istituto Nazionale per la ricerca sul Cancro, Genova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33393/gcnd.2013.997

Keywords:

Uric acid, Organ damage, Chronic kidney disease, Cardiovascular risk

Abstract

A number of epidemiological studies have reported an association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and a wide variety of high-risk conditions including hypertension, insulin resistance, kidney and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the sharp rise in the prevalence of these conditions has also been associated with a progressive rise in SUA levels in the general population (from less than 3.5 mg/dL in the 1920s to 6.5 mg/dL in the 1970s). In this article we critically analyze whether SUA plays an active role in the development of atherosclerotic damage or should be considered an innocent bystander. Although the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia is not yet recommended for the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, recent studies suggest a direct relationship between pharmacological reduction of SUA and cardiovascular and renal protection.