Vitamin C Supplementation with Allopurinol Decreases the Risk of Development of Insulin Resistance and Hypertension in Hyperurecemic Rats

Background: Gout is considered as a general metabolic disease manifested by hyperurecemia and may be associated with hypertension. Hyperuricemia is a state of oxidative stress associated with increased risk for insulin resistance, diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which has a uricosuric effect and can modulate oxidative stress.Aim: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the additive effect of vitamin C to allopurinol on the blood pressure and glucose metabolism in hyperurecemic rats.Methodology: Forty adult male albino rats were used in the present study. Rats were divided into 5 equal groups: Normal control group, hyperuricemic group: Hyperuricemia was induced by potassium oxonate, hyperuricemic allopurinol treated group: Hyperuricemic rats were treated by allopurinol, Vitamin C-treated group: hyperuricemic rats were treated by vitamin C and combined allopurinol and vitamin C treated group: Hyperuricemic rats were treated by both allopurinol and vitamin C. At the end of the experiment blood pressure was measured and fasting blood samples were collected for analysis of the following, serum Uric Acid (UA), fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidants.Results: Combined treatment with allopurinol and Vitamin C to hyperuricemic rats significantly decreased serum uric acid, MDA, fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin, insulin resistance and blood pressure. Also, it significantly increased serum total antioxidant and beta cell activity.