Serum-Saliva Correlation | r = 0.84 |
Sensitivity | 0.07 mg/dL LOD |
Sample Test Volume | 10 µL |
Recommended Collection Volume | >25 µL |
Special Considerations | High consumption of alcohol beverages (particularly beer), fructose and diets high in purine-rich foods can alter Uric Acid levels. Several drugs may alter Uric Acid levels (Moriwaki 2014). |
Collection Protocol | Download PDF |
Uric acid is the most prevalent antioxidant in the blood and minimizes the systemic physiological stress of free-radical oxygen species on the body preventing a state known as Oxidative Stress. The cumulative damage caused by Oxidative Stress has been linked to a wide range of health problems including cancer, cardiovascular disease and age related neurodegenerative diseases among others. Therefore, the antioxidant properties of uric acid are thought to provide a protective role against these conditions.
When uric acid concentrations are elevated in a condition known as hyperuricemia, significant harmful health effects result. Blood uric acid levels above 7 mg/dl leads to the formation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. After sustained hyperuricemia, these MSU crystals deposit in tendons and joints to cause severe diseases including gout, kidney stones and several forms of kidney disease. Gout is the most prevalent inflammatory arthritis worldwide and frequent monitoring of uric acid levels is critical for disease management. In the case of kidney stones, approximately 5-10% of the 3.3 million Americans seeking medical care for kidney stones are due to elevated uric acid. High blood uric acid levels are also associated with a wide variety of diseases including hypertension, increased cardiovascular mortality, obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Several studies have reported that a linear relationship exists between serum and salivary uric acid levels and salivary uric acid may be a useful biomarker for oxidative stress and monitoring metabolic syndrome to help mitigate cardiometabolic risk.
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