Is Hepatic Uric Acid Production a Potential Biomarker of Compromised Mitochondrial Function

Background Raised plasma uric acid levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, renal disease and metabolic syndrome. Uric acid is produced by the liver during purine metabolism and is excreted by the kidneys. Therefore raised plasma uric acid can result from either decreased renal clearance or increased production by the liver. Recent studies have shown an association between raised serum uric acid levels and hepatic steatosis in Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease (NAFLD) after adjustment for various features of metabolic syndrome (1-3) and proposed a role for uric acid in the pathogenesis of liver disease through its pro-inflammatory effects (3).