Higher dietary acid load is associated with hyperuricemia in Chinese adults: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore the association between dietary acid load and hyperuricemia in Chinese adults. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted. Adult participants with hyperuricemia were recruited as the cases and those without hyperuricemia were as the controls. Food consumption was evaluated by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary acid load was assessed by potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP). Dietary acid load was divided into four levels: the first quartile (Q1), the second quartile (Q2), the third quartile (Q3) and the fourth quartile (Q4). Logistic regression model was applied for exploring the association between dietary acid load (PRAL and NEAP) and hyperuricemia. Odds ratio (OR) and its correspondence confidence interval (CI) were computed. RESULTS: A total of 290 participants were eligible in this study, in which there were 143 individuals in case group and 147 in control group. A higher level of PRAL was found to be associated with odds of hyperuricemia. ORs of hyperuricemia for Q2, Q3 and Q4 of PRAL were 2.74 (95%CI: 1.94 ~ 3.88, p-value: 0.004), 2.90 (95%CI: 2.05 ~ 4.10, p-value: 0.002) and 3.14 (95%CI: 2.22 ~ 4.45, p-value: 0.001), respectively. There was a positive association between elevated NEAP and hyperuricemia. OR of hyperuricemia for Q2 was not material significance (OR:1.54, 95%CI: 0.93 ~ 2.53, p-value: 0.210), however, ORs of hyperuricemia for Q3 (OR: 2.40, 95%CI: 1.70 ~ 3.38, p-value: 0.011) and Q4 (OR: 3.27, 95%CI: 2.31 ~ 4.62, p-value: 0.001) were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Higher level of dietary acid load was found to be associated with hyperuricemia in Chinese adults, indicative of advocation of a well-balanced diet in this population.

The molecular mechanism of rhein in diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by unclear pathogenesis. Recent medical data shows that the incidence of DN rises year by year. Rhein is the main compositions of rhubarb, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, which plays an active role in kidney protection. The prophylaxis and phytotherapeutic effects of rhein are due to its anti-inflammatory and antifibrosis properties. Here, we shed light on the renal protective role of rhein in diabetes mellitus (DM) with a particular focus on the molecular basis of this effect.