Uric Acid Metabolism in Hepatolenticular Degeneration

SummaryIt has been found that in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson's disease) the level of uric acid in the serum is reduced and the amount of uric acid excreted in the urine is increased. Following the intravenous administration of uric acid, such patients excrete uric acid in the urine more rapidly than do normal subjects. No correlation was observed between the excretion of copper and that of uric acid. It is suggested that the alterations in uric acid metabolism are due to an inability of the renal tubules to reabsorb uric acid efficiently.