Regulation of catechins on uric acid metabolism disorder related human diseases.

BACKGROUND Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism in humans. High uric acid levels form sodium urate crystals that trigger biological processes, which lead to the development of several diseases, including diabetes, hyperuricemia, gout, inflammatory disease, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Catechins have been suggested to be beneficial for the regulation of uric acid metabolic disorders due to their powerful antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. OBJECTIVES To identify an effective and safe natural substance that can decrease levels of serum uric acid to improve uric acid metabolism disorders. METHODS A search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar to identify comprehensive studies that presented summarize data on the use of catechins in lowering uric acid levels in diseases. RESULTS This review details the role of catechins in inhibiting the activity of xanthine oxidase to decrease uric acid overproduction in liver and in regulating expressions of uric acid transporters, URAT1, OAT1, OAT3, ABCG2 and GLUT9, to balance levels of uric acid secretion and reabsorption through the kidney and intestine. Additionally, Catechins were also found to prevent monosodium urate-induced inflammatory reaction. In vivo, catechins can be used to decrease high uric acid levels that result from hyperuricemia and related diseases. CONCLUSION Catechins can be used to maintain the balance of uric acid metabolism.