EFFECT OF ORAL FRUCTOSE ADMINISTRATION ON ALCOHOL-INDUCED INCREASE IN PLASMA URATE

Abstract

Oral fructose administration has been demonstrated to stimulate the oxidation
of alcohol. However, its influence on alcohol-induced hyperuricemia is yet to be
documented. This study therefore, reports the effect of fructose on alcohol- induced increase
in plasma urate in adult albino rabbits. Twelve male adult albino rabbits, divided into A, B
and C experimental groups were purchased from Yoha Farms, Warri, Delta State. Group A, the
control animals (n=4) were given normal saline, while Group B animals (n=4) orally received 1.5 g
(40%) ethanol/kg body weight as single daily dose for a routine period of fifteen weeks.
Group C rabbits (n=4) were treated in a similar manner. but 0.25 g fructose/kg body weight
was usually given after about 10 min of administerihg the ethanol dose. The results obtained
show that ethanol administration significantly increased (P<0.05) serum urate by 57.8% at
the end of the 15-week tr~atment period but the serum urate levels for the ethanol· +
fructose-treated animals only increased by 10.6%, an increase that was not statistically
significant at the 5% probability level. The stimulation of alcohol oxidative metabolism by
fructose may not be accompanied by a threatening .increase in serum urate, the aetiologic
risk factor of gout, renal calculi and hypertension. Albeit, similar study designed for humans
is needful in order to determine the suitability of aninlal model for predicting the possible
human effect(s).