Why is gout the disease of kings

Both researchers thought there was a good chance that ABCG2 functioned as some sort of urate pump. But they needed proof. So Guggino and colleagues used the Xenopus egg system to test their hypothesis. The experiments showed that their hunch was correct: ABCG2 pumps urate out of the cell. Mutations in the gene result in a protein with about half the normal pumping strength. The researchers also showed that ABCG2 occurs in the kidney where uric acid excretion normally takes place.

So if the pump fails, the kidneys excrete uric acid more slowly, causing the chemical to build up in the bloodstream. The team published its results last year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Aside from prizes, however, Guggino hopes the research will lead to improved medication, but not just for gout.

To that end, he is now turning his attention to yet another seemingly unrelated disease: cancer. It is one of the proteins responsible for the multidrug resistance that can occur when cancer patients undergo chemotherapy. It appears to pump certain chemotherapeutic agents out of targeted cancer cells—in effect preventing the agents from destroying the cells. Research for new drugs is ongoing. Older patients may find it especially challenging to manage gout.

While the condition typically strikes a single joint at a time in younger patients, it may affect a number of joints simultaneously in older patients. It might be harder for an older adult to get enough exercise and manage medications.

The pathogenesis of gout is well understood and effective treatments are available, but the care of gout remains remarkably suboptimal due to a lack of proper patient education and treatment mismanagement.

The information in this article is not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Categories: All. Loss of Smell Often Overlooked ». What is gout? What are the risk factors for gout? How is gout treated? How is gout prevented? There are several lifestyle changes which can reduce the risk of a gout attack, including: Stay hydrated and drink adequate amounts of water to flush the uric acid through the kidneys.

Limit the intake of animal meats high in purines such as beef, pork, oily fish, and shellfish to reduce the production of uric acid. Organ meats such as liver, kidneys, and sweetbreads are especially high in purines. Limit the intake of alcohol. Limit the intake of processed foods such as refined flour, sugary drinks, and food products with added fructose.

Instead, choose foods with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Choose dairy products such as low-fat milk and yogurt. Using this search tool means you agree to the user agreement and disclaimer. Related Blogs. The association between gout and uric acid has been known since the 19 th century, but it is the important developments in our understanding of the careful uric acid homeostasis that has led to effective therapy for gout. Today, gout remains one of the most treatable forms of arthritis.

Gout depicted as an evil demon attacking a toe.