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Serum CRP in patients with gout and effects of benzbromarone

C Okuda1, H Koyama, Z Tsutsumi

  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan.

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|February 19, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Hyperuricemia may not increase C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. However, benzbromarone treatment significantly reduced CRP and increased adiponectin in gout patients, suggesting a beneficial cardiovascular effect.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Rheumatology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker for cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Elevated serum uric acid (hyperuricemia) is linked to cardiovascular mortality.
  • The relationship between hyperuricemia and CRP requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare serum CRP levels in healthy individuals and gout patients.
  • To evaluate the effect of benzbromarone on serum CRP in gout patients.
  • To assess benzbromarone's impact on CRP gene expression in vitro.

Main Methods:

  • Compared serum CRP in 40 healthy males and 43 male gout patients.
  • Administered benzbromarone to 42 male gout patients for 1 year, measuring CRP and adiponectin.
  • Investigated benzbromarone's effect on IL-1beta-induced CRP expression in HuH7 cells.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in log serum CRP between gout patients and healthy subjects.
  • Benzbromarone treatment decreased log serum CRP by 11% (p < 0.01) and increased log serum adiponectin by 2% (p < 0.01).
  • In vitro studies showed benzbromarone down-regulated IL-1beta-stimulated CRP gene expression.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperuricemia does not appear to elevate serum CRP levels.
  • Benzbromarone demonstrates a potential beneficial effect on CRP levels and expression.
  • Benzbromarone may favorably impact cardiovascular markers in gout patients.
Abstract

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