We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




High Urate Levels May Indicate Parkinson's Risk in Men

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 Jan 2016
Print article
Image: The Hitachi 911 Chemistry Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Roche Diagnostics).
Image: The Hitachi 911 Chemistry Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Roche Diagnostics).
Parkinson's disease is a motor system disorder that usually appears in people aged over 60 years and it results from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. There is currently no cure, but treatments can be given that replace or mimic the role of dopamine in the brain, providing relief from the symptoms.

The main symptoms are tremor or trembling, rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and body, slowness of movement and impaired balance and coordination. Symptoms start gradually but worsen over time, making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks. A high level of urate in a man's blood may signal a lower likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease.

Scientists at Pennsylvania State University (University Park, State College, PA, USA) and their colleagues examined whether higher plasma urate concentrations are associated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson disease (PD) and whether there is a sex difference in the potential urate–PD relationship. They conducted a nested case-control study based on 90,214 participants of three ongoing US cohorts. They identified 388 new PD cases (202 men and 186 women) since blood collection, which were then matched to 1,267 controls.

Plasma urate concentrations were assessed via a colorimetric enzyme assay on the Hitachi 911 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics; Indianapolis, IN, USA). The men with the lowest levels of urate had less than 4.9 mg/dL. Those with the highest levels had 6.3 to 9.0 mg/dL. Normal levels can range from 3.5 to 7.2 mg/dL. The men who had the highest levels of urate were nearly 40% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those with the lowest levels. Among the men with Parkinson's disease, 45 had the highest level of urate and 58 had the lowest. Among the healthy men, 111 were in the group with the highest level of urate and 107 were in the group with the lowest level.

The authors concluded that that men, but not women, with higher urate concentrations had a lower future risk of developing PD, suggesting that urate could be protective against PD risk or could slow disease progression during the preclinical stage of disease. Xiang Gao, MD, PhD, the lead author of the study said, “These results suggest that urate could protect against Parkinson's or slow the progression of the disease in its very early stages before symptoms are seen. The findings support more studies on whether raising the level of urate in people with early Parkinson's may slow the disease down.” The study was published on January 13, 2016, in the journal Neurology.

Related Links:

Pennsylvania State University
Roche Diagnostics


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Cancer Mutation Profiling Liquid Kit
OncoScreen Plus

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.