Uric acid, hyperuricemia and ischemic stroke

Uric acid is an end product of purine metabolism. Hyperuricemia is defined as serum uric acid level 〉420 μmol/L in man, and 360 μmol/L in woman. Several mechanisms can cause elevated serum uric acid levels. Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses have shown that hyperuricemia is significantly correlated with the increased morbidity and mortality in patients with ischemic stroke. However, as a powerful antioxidant and a radical scavenger, uric acid seems to have a neuroprotective effect in ischemic stroke. Uric acid administered early can enhance the effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator （rtPA） thrombolytic therapy in rats with thromboembolic stroke. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a randomized controlled trial for the clinical effects of rtPA thrombolysis in combination with uric acid in patients with acute ischemic stroke. A phase 3 clinical trial is ongoing, and its results are worth waiting for. Key words: Stroke;  Brain Ischemia;  Uric Acid;  Hyperuricemia