Ultrafiltrability of Plasma Urate in Man.

Abstract

The blood serum of 10 non-gouty human subjects, 16 untreated gouty and 16 Benemid-treated gouty patients was ultrafiltered by means of a Simms-Sanders "surge" ultrafiltration apparatus. The mean difference between uric acid in serum water and uric acid in ultrafiltrate in the 3 groups was + 3.5%, +5.0% and +3.3%, respectively. These results are consistent with the view that the plasma urate is virtually wholly filtrable at the glomerulus. Ultrafiltration by means of an apparatus applying constant positive pressure to serum filtered through cellophane membranes resting upon a metallic support gave results implying-non-filtrability of a significant fraction of the plasma urate. These results, however, were found to be due to loss of urate related to contact with the metallic support.