Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Quantitative SERS Detection of Uric Acid via Formation of Precise Plasmonic Nanojunctions within Aggregates of Gold Nanoparticles and Cucurbit[n]uril
10:02

Quantitative SERS Detection of Uric Acid via Formation of Precise Plasmonic Nanojunctions within Aggregates of Gold Nanoparticles and Cucurbit[n]uril

Published on: October 3, 2020

Uric acid and hypertension

Daniel I Feig1, Duk-Hee Kang, Takahiko Nakagawa

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Renal Section, MC3-2482, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA. dfeig@bcm.tmc.edu

Current Hypertension Reports
|May 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Recent studies suggest elevated uric acid levels may predict and contribute to essential hypertension in both adults and children. Further research is exploring if managing uric acid can prevent or treat high blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
  • Nephrology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Recent epidemiologic studies highlight a potential link between uric acid and essential hypertension.
  • Elevated serum uric acid is identified as a predictor of incident hypertension and blood pressure progression in longitudinal studies.
  • A pediatric study found high uric acid levels in over 90% of children with essential hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent evidence supporting the role of uric acid in essential hypertension.
  • To review laboratory findings that elucidate the mechanisms by which uric acid may cause hypertension.
  • To discuss ongoing clinical trials investigating uric acid's role in human hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiologic studies published in the past 3 years.
  • Analysis of data from large, longitudinal cardiovascular disease studies.
  • Examination of laboratory studies, including animal models (rat model).

Main Results:

  • Elevated serum uric acid predicts incident hypertension and blood pressure progression.
  • Uric acid induces hypertension in rats via renin-angiotensin system activation, nitric oxide downregulation, and endothelial dysfunction.
  • High uric acid levels are prevalent in children with essential hypertension.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical and laboratory evidence increasingly supports a role for uric acid in essential hypertension.
  • Mechanistic studies reveal pathways through which uric acid may contribute to hypertension.
  • Ongoing trials aim to confirm uric acid's role in human hypertension and its therapeutic potential.

Related Concept Videos

Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Diuretics01:16

Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Diuretics

Diuretics are antihypertensive drugs used to treat hypertension resulting from sodium and water retention. Sodium, vital for fluid balance and nerve or muscle function, is regulated by the kidneys through millions of nephrons. Blood enters nephrons via afferent arterioles, which branch into capillaries called glomeruli. These filter blood plasma, allowing water and solutes, like sodium ions, to pass through capillary walls into Bowman's capsule. The filtrate then flows through various tubules...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

In the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormone called angiotensin II plays a crucial role. It binds to the AT1 receptors in vascular smooth muscles coupled with Gq proteins. The activation of these receptors activates an enzyme called phospholipase C, which releases two molecules: inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. These molecules cause a chain reaction that leads to the phosphorylation of myosin light chains and promotes interaction between actin and myosin, leading to smooth...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors01:25

Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an intricate physiological pathway involving numerous enzymes and hormones, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I and II, and aldosterone. Imbalances within this system increase the production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Increased angiotensin II levels promote vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Concurrently, higher aldosterone levels stimulate sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys,...
Urinary Tract Calculi III: Medical Management01:30

Urinary Tract Calculi III: Medical Management

The diagnosis of renal calculi involves several imaging techniques, including non-contrast CT scans and ultrasound. These methods help visualize kidney stones, assess their size and location, and detect possible obstructions. Additionally, Measuring urine pH is useful for diagnosing specific stone types, such as struvite (alkaline pH) and uric acid stones (acidic pH). Cystine stones are primarily linked to cystinuria, a genetic condition. A urinalysis helps detect blood in the urine (hematuria)...