Ishita Sinha

• MBBS
• Is hepatic uric acid production a potential biomarker of compromised mitochondrial function?

Raised serum uric acid is the cause of gout and is also associated with multiple metabolic disorders. In the past, it has been assumed that this is because of impaired renal secretion of uric acid by the kidney. However, some recent epidemiological studies have reported an association between liver disease and raised serum uric acid. The work I did in the laboratory provides direct in vitro evidence to support the notion that liver damage directly raises uric acid. Therefore assessment of uric acid production by the liver may be developed as a biomarker for liver damage.

Funding source: Newcastle University