Levels and values of serum uric acid in patients with multiple system atrophy

Objective To investigate the level and value of serum uric acid (UA) in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). Methods One hundred and one MSA patients were selected as the MSA group and 101 age and sex-matched healthy controls as control group. The UA concentrations and other biochemical indexes were measured by an enzymatic method and carefully analyzed. By comparing the UA concentrations for different genders, subtypes, and different levels of certainty of the MSA group with their counterparts in the control group, we obtained the differences between these two groups and also discussed possible reasons and factors. Results The serum UA levels of MSA patients ((283.74±87.76) μmol/L) were significantly lower than the controls ((317.86±76.95) μmol/L; t=-2.94, P 370.5 μmol/L), though the difference did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05). Nevertheless, the numbers of male MSA patients in the lowest level and the lower level UA groups (UA=263.0-309.0 μmol/L) were 11.5 and 10.8 times that in the high level UA group (P=0.001, P=0.003). No obviously linear relation between the level of UA and disease progression was found. Conclusions The level of serum UA is significantly decreased in MSA patients, especially in the male patients. The UA, as an antioxidant, may be beneficial to the neurodegenerative diseases. Key words: Multiple system atrophy; Uric acid