Study of Uric Acid and Ascorbic Acid as Strong Reducing Agents and Potent Antioxidants

Hyperuricemia (HU) is associated with cardiovascular and renal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of uric acid as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Carotid Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries assessed noninvasively by ultrasonography is now validated as a sensitive marker for atherosclerosis and it is directly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and is predictive of future cardiovascular events. Our study consisted of a group of 85 patients with CVD (cardiovascular disease) without HU (hyperuricemia) (male 58%, mean age ± S.D.: 49 ± 10 years), a group of 80 patients with CVD and HU (male 52%, mean age ± S.D: 52 ± 10 years), and a control group of 80 healthy subjects (male 55%, mean age ± S.D: 50 ± 11 years) hospitalized in the IV th Medical Clinic of University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara in a one year period. The patients underwent complete clinically and paraclinically investigations (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and serum uric acid). All the patients in the study groups were also examined by high resolution B-mode ultrasound to measure the IMT of the common carotid artery. IMT values were significantly higher in the CVD patients groups with and without HU, compared to the control group (0.98 ± 0.28 mm, 1.41 ± 0.31 mm versus 0.56 ± 0.15 mm, respectively, p < 0.001). All patients with HU had significantly higher carotid IMT compared to the patients without HU. In this study we have shown that higher serum uric acid levels are associated with atherogenesis independently from CVD. Early screening for hyperuricemia and lowering serum uric acid levels might be beneficial in slowing progression of IMT in CVD patients