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Background: A number of studies found that patients with multiple sclerosis (M S) have low serum levels of uric acid. It is unclear whether this represents a p rimary deficit or secondary effect. Uric acid is a scavenger of peroxynitrite, w hich is the product of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide. Because peripheral bloo d leukocyte NO production and NO metabolites in serum are raised in MS patients, associations might be expected between serum uric acid levels and peripheral NO production.Methods: Serum levels of uric acid and NO production by peripheral b lood leukocytes were measured in 60 patients with MS without a relapse in the pa st 3 months, and 30 age-and sexmatched healthy controls. Uric acid was determin ed with the uricase PAP method, and NO production was assayed by measuring nitri te concentration in supernatants of lysed leukocytes.Results: Serum uric acid le vels were not different between MS patients and controls. Compared to controls, patients with MS had significantly higher peripheral blood leukocytes nitrite co ncentrations (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between leukocyte nitrite con centration and serumuric acid levels. Conclusions:Our findings suggest that in M S patients there is no primary deficit in serum uric acid. NO production by peri pheral blood leukocytes is increased, but there is no association with serum uri c acid levels.
Background: A number of studies found that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have low serum levels of uric acid. It is unclear whether this represents aprimary deficit or secondary effect. Uric acid is a scavenger of peroxynitrite, w hich is the product of Nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide. Because peripheral bloo d leukocyte NO production and NO metabolites in serum are raised in MS patients, associations might be expected between serum uric acid levels and peripheral NO production. Methods: Serum levels of uric acid and NO production by peripheral b lood leukocytes were measured in 60 patients with MS without a relapse in the pa st 3 months, and 30 age-and sexmatched healthy controls. Uric acid was determined with the uricase PAP method, and NO production was assayed by measuring nitri te concentration in supernatants of lysed leukocytes. Results: Serum uric acid le vels were not different between MS patients and controls. Compared to controls, patients with MS had significantly Higher was peripheral blood leukocytes nitrite co ncentrations (p <0.001). There was no correlation between leukocyte nitrite con centration and serumuric acid levels. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that in MS patients there is no primary deficit in serum uric acid. NO production by peri pheral blood leukocytes is increased, but there is no association with serum uri c acid levels.