In: Anatomy and Physiology
People who suffer from gout often find relief by avoiding rich foods and drinking cherry juice. Why? In your answer, explain the symptoms of gout and the mechanisms by which treatments of gout work.
Gout is caused by increased levels of uric acid and is associated with inflammatory arthritis. Uric acid is the breakdown product of purine. It is usually filtered by kidneys and excreted as urine. However, in certain conditions, uric acid accumulates and gets crystalized. Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, in joints. The joints also swell and become red and tender. The pain and other symptoms are due to deposition of uric acid crystal sin joints, tendons and surrounding tissues.
Uric acid levels will increase if protein rich diet or purine rich diet is ingested. Protein rich diet such as meat is known to contain high amounts of purines. Thus, there will be increased breakdown of purines to uric acid. The kidneys can filter only specific amount of uric acid. If uric acid increases, it will be deposited in joints, leading to inflammation. If protein rich foods are avoided, uric acid levels will decline and eliminate symptoms of gout.
Cherries are rich in vitamins A, C, E, and anthocyanins. Thus, they have increased content of antioxidants. Anthocyanin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory properties will reduce the severity of gout attacks. Further, antioxidants are also known to reduce inflammation by reducing production of reactive oxygen species. It has also been shown that cherry juice can also reduce the production of uric acid. Anthocyanins reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines such as interferon 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha significantly. These cytokines are known to be important inflammatory mediators. Cherries also reduce the activity of cyclooxygenase enzyme that causes inflammatory prostaglandin production. Thus, if less uric acid is generated and there is less inflammation, then symptoms of gout will reduce, helping the patient.