Abstract
The source of the endogenous uric acid of the urine has been the cause of much speculation and experimentation for years. The theories that it arises from glandular or muscular activity, however, have claimed most attention.
Experiments have been conducted on man to determine the effect of activity of the alimentary apparatus upon the excretion of endogenous uric acid. To this end a comparison was made of the hourly uric acid excretion during a fasting condition and that when the digestive glands had been stimulated in various ways. The succagogues employed were pure nutrients—protein, fat and carbohydrate and combinations of these—pilocarpine and alcohol. In addition the effect of the laxatives phenolphthalein, castor oil and Epsom salt was investigated. These may act either by increasing peristalsis or the secretion of water into the intestine, or both, according to the laxative employed and the amount. The action of atropine under conditions where a secretion of digestive juices would be expected—after the ingestion of food—was studied and an experiment was carried out to obtain some light on the rôle of muscular work in the excretion of uric acid.
The results of the investigation show that activity of the digestive glands, initiated by the foods mentioned or pilocarpine, is attended by an augmented excretion of uric acid. The laxatives showed no influence on the excretion of uric acid even when agar agar was taken previously for the purpose of increasing the mechanical work of the intestine. Neither did alcohol or muscular exercise. Atropine inhibited the rise which normally follows the ingestion of the food-stuffs taken subsequent to the atropine.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.