Relationship between Serum Uric Acid and Serum Oxidative Stress Markers in the Japanese General Population

Background: Increased production of reactive oxygen species is a condition that is associated with, and plays a role in the progression of, various disorders such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Purpose: To assess in vivo oxidative stress levels and antioxidant potential and to analyze the relationship with serum uric acid (UA) levels. Methods and Results: Oxidative stress levels (derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites, d-ROMs) and antioxidant potential (biological antioxidant potential, BAP) were measured in individuals who underwent a general health screening test, and data were analyzed from 8,025 individuals (2,953 women and 5,072 men) who were free from UA-lowering medication. Higher serum UA levels were associated with increased levels of d-ROMs in both genders, and this trend was more prominent in women. In addition, higher UA levels were also associated with higher BAP in both genders, although the dose dependence was not apparent in men. These associations remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, blood pressure, renal function, albuminuria, C-reactive protein, and insulin resistance index. Conclusions: In individuals who underwent general health screening, serum UA levels were positively associated with both d-ROMs and BAP levels. Whether lowering of UA by lifestyle modification or by medication alters d-ROM/BAP levels awaits further investigations. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel