Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemia and Orotic Aciduria in Mice

Summary

The effects of dietary supplementation of various concentrations of KOx with or without uric acid were examined in the growing mouse. Many of the effects of KOx were accentuated at lower concentrations when uric acid was also supplemented to the diet. Hyperuricemia was caused by oxonate alone as well as by 1% KOx plus 1% uric acid. Oxonate plus uric acid induced an uricosuria. Kidney uric acid content and uricase activity were significantly altered by oxonate with or without urate supplementation. Oxonate in some ways alters pyrimidine metabolism and leads to an orotic aciduria in the mouse. Oxonate may prove to be a valuable tool in the study of the metabolism of purines and pyrimidines as well as their interrelationship.