The Pathogenesis of Hyperuricemia in Glycogen Storage Disease, Type I

Abstract
Summary: After the infusion of fructose, 0.25 g/kg body weight, blood uric acid levels were significantly increased above the mean basal value in five patients with glycogen storage disease (GSD), type I (P < 0.02-P < 0.05). The mean fasting blood inorganic phosphate (Pi) level in the patients was 3.9 ± 0.3 mg/100 ml and was significantly lower than the mean Pi value of 4.8 ± 0.3 mg/ 100 ml of the control subjects (P < 0.05). Blood Pi levels were significantly lower in the patients than in the control subjects at varying limes after the administration of fructose (P < 0.005-P < 0.05). Uric acid excretion did not increase significantly in the patients after fructose was given. In contrast to normal children, the mean peak blood uric level in the patients increased significantly after the administration of glucagon (P < 0.001). In both patients (P < 0.005) and control subjects (P < 0.05), mean blood Pi concentrations decreased significantly after the administration of glucagon; however, the blood Pi concentrations in the patients were significantly lower than in the control subjects. Uric acid excretion increased after glucagon administration in both patients and control subjects, but the differences in uric acid excretion between the two groups were not significant. The data in our patients after fructose and glucagon administration suggest that hyperuricemia in GSD results from enhanced nucleotide catabolism. The concentrations of hepatic Pi and ATP may be low in patients with GSD; hepatic Pi and ATP content would therefore be further diminished by the administration of fructose and glucagon. By a mechanism similar to that of fructose-induced hyperuricemia, diminished hepatic Pi and ATP content might increase the breakdown of adenine nucleotides with resultant hyperuricemia. Speculation: Decreased intrahcpatie Pi and ATP content, which ultimately results in enhanced nucleotide catabolism, may be a common mechanism for hyperuricemia under variety of conditions.

This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit: