Translations:Harnsäure/2/en

Uric acid is the final product of purine metabolism. Purines are formed by the degradation of purine nucleotides (adenine and guanine) from DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). In addition, elimination also takes place via saliva and intestinal secretion. The daily excretion amounts to up to 1g. As a weak acid, uric acid is only poorly soluble in protonated form (e.g. in water), whereas it is well soluble in alkaline media. If the body is over-acidified, the uric acid is therefore less soluble. Under certain conditions there is an increased production of uric acid; if the solubility product is exceeded in the course of excretion, the uric acid can precipitate and be deposited in the urinary tract, in the bloodstream or in bradytrophic (tissue with slow metabolism) tissues. This hyperuricemia can result in uroliths, gout or uric acid infarctions.