Uric Acid Production in Normal and Gouty subjects, Determined by by N15 Labeled Glycine.

Abstract

Summary 1. Glycine was synthesized by the Schoenheimer and Ratner method with a modification (ion exchange resins) which in our hands gave better yields. 2. N¹⁵ tagged glycine was fed to a normal and to a gouty subject while they were on the same constant, low protein, low purine, 2000-calorie diet. Daily urine samples were analyzed for total nitrogen and uric acid, as well as for isotope concentration in these 2 fractions. 3. No significant difference could be found between the 2 subjects in the isotope distribution of the total nitrogen or uric acid. The percentage of N¹⁵ excreted as uric acid was no greater in the gouty than in the normal subject. The significance of this finding in relation to the pathogenesis of gout is discussed.