Urate excretion in old age | JoVE Visualize

Urate excretion in old age

A Stavroulaki-Tsapara, P Papanayiotou, A S Dontas

Gerontology|January 1, 1980

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Elderly women have lower serum urate than men. Bacteriuria increases the urate to creatinine clearance ratio, especially in men, but dietary protein intake has a greater effect on serum urate levels.

Area of Science:

Nephrology
Gerontology
Biochemistry

Background:

Serum urate levels exhibit sex-based differences and can be influenced by age and urinary tract infections.
Understanding urate handling in elderly individuals, particularly those with bacteriuria, is crucial for metabolic health.
Previous studies suggest potential differences in renal urate excretion between sexes and in the presence of infection.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between serum urate levels, bacteriuria, and renal function in elderly men and women.
To determine the influence of bacteriuria on urate and p-aminohippurate (TMPAH) clearance.
To examine the impact of dietary protein intake on serum urate levels in this population.

Main Methods:

Cross-sectional study comparing serum urate levels and renal function parameters (creatinine clearance [Ccreat], urate clearance [CUrate], TMPAH clearance [CTMPAH]) in nonbacteriuric and bacteriuric elderly subjects.
Analysis of the CUrate:Ccreat ratio in relation to bacteriuria status and sex.
Assessment of the effect of increased dietary protein intake on serum urate levels.

Main Results:

Nonbacteriuric elderly men had marginally higher serum urate than women. Bacteriuric subjects of both sexes had lower serum urate levels.
Bacteriuric men showed significant reductions in CIn, Ccreat, and TMPAH, which were not observed in bacteriuric women.
The CUrate:CIn ratio was elevated in bacteriuric men and in all women, irrespective of bacteriuria status.
Increased dietary protein intake correlated with higher serum urate levels, overriding the effect of bacteriuria.

Conclusions:

Elderly women maintain lower serum urate levels than men, partly due to higher urate clearance.
Bacteriuria significantly alters the urate to creatinine clearance ratio, particularly in men.
Renal secretory mechanisms for urate differ from those for p-aminohippurate.
Dietary protein intake is a more dominant factor influencing serum urate levels than bacteriuria in the elderly.