High dioxins exposure triggers gout: NCKU research

TAINAN, Taiwan – A study conducted by a Tainan-based National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) research team reveals that people with higher Polychlorinated Dioxins and Furans (PCDD/F) exposure would have a significantly higher hyperuricemia risk than those with lower PCDD/F exposure.

Dr Jung-Wei Chang, an assistant researcher, together with his colleagues from Research Center for Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, NCKU, had conducted a study involving 1531 residents near the abandoned sodium-pentachlorophenol factory from July 2005 through May 2010.

The study had been published in Epidemiogy. Chang had also received an Excellent Article Award on Public Health, the 19th Professor Kung-Pei Chen Memorial Award of Taiwan Public Health Association, October 19, for his outstanding performance.

 “The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship among exposure to PCDD/Fs, serum uric acid levels, and glomerular filtration rate. The 80-mL samples of venous blood were drawn for analysis for biochemistry examination and PCDD/Fs,” Dr Chang said.

“Men are significantly at higher risk for gout which results from the abnormality of purine degradation in humans,” he revealed.

“The underlying cause of gout is hyperuricemia, which means that serum uric acid level is above 7 mg/dL in men and 6 mg/dL in women as recommended, and easily being formed crystals in articular cavity and become swollen,” he also said.

Hyperuricemia has been linked to many of the most dangerous diseases such as hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, which is also a risk factor for coronary artery disease.

Animal studies have also provided evidence that the dioxins would cause renal toxicity and elevate uric acid.

Dr Chang’s findings support efforts to reduce potential sources of environmental exposure to PCDD/Fs and may offer possibilities for decreasing the risk of hyperuricemia in populations even moderately exposed to PCDD/Fs.

He found that both serum PCDD/F levels and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) were independently associated factors of serum uric acid levels in the study participants after adjusting for confounding factors.

In addition to reducing eGFR, PCDD/Fs may directly elevate serum uric acid, Dr Chang said. “Men had higher serum PCDD/F levels and percentage of hyperuricemia than did women, and serum PCDD/F levels were associated with higher uric acid levels and reduced eGFR in men but not in women,” he explained.Air Force High