Erythrocyte adenosine deaminase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase activity in gout

1. Erythrocyte adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.4) and purine nucleoside (inosine) phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1) were measured in 33 healthy controls and 43 primary gouty subjects. Adenosine deaminase activity in controls and gouty subjects was 0.373 plus or minus 0.108 and 0.457 plus or minus 0.140 A unit per 5-10-3 ml packed red cells per h, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). Mean adenosine deaminase: inosine phosphorylase (X10) in primary gout was also significantly higher than in controls (P less than 0.05). Inosine phosphorylase activities in the two groups were not significantly different. 2. When gouty patients were divided into two groups according to weight, normal weight gouty subjects had a higher adenosine deaminase activity and an increased ration of adenosine deaminase to inosine phosphorylase when compared with overweight patients (P less than 0.10). In two control groups divided according to the percentage overweight, such differences were not found. In the case of two gouty groups divided according to the existence of gouty heredity, tophi or renal impairment, adenosine deaminase and inosine phosphorylase activity in the two groups were not significantly different. The possible biochemical role of adenosine deaminase activity in primary gout is discussed.