[Erythrocyte uric acid in the non-gouty subject]

The red cell uric acid concentration (E) is lower than its plasma concentration (P). In normal subjects the ration E/P is close to 0.7. Under experimental or pathological conditions (uricosuric treatment, fluid'diet, hemodialysis) causing changes in serum uric acid, the latter rises or falls proportionately less in red cells than in the plasma. There results a significant variation in the distribution of blood uric acid between the plasma and red cell compartments.