-
Purine Content:Purines are naturally occurring compounds in food that are broken down into uric acid by the body.
-
Moderation is Key:Chicken, in general, is considered a moderate-purine food. You can enjoy it in reasonable portions (e.g., less than 4 ounces).
-
Chicken Parts to Avoid:Organ meats like liver, heart, and gizzards are high in purines and should be avoided if you have gout or high uric acid levels.
-
Focus on Lean Cuts:Opt for chicken breast, which is a lean cut and lower in purines than other parts.
-
Cooking Methods:Cooking methods can also affect purine levels. Roasting or baking chicken is generally a healthier option than frying.
-
Individual Variation:It’s important to remember that individuals may have different sensitivities to purines. What might be okay for one person with gout might not be okay for another.
Purine and Protein content in 100 grams chicken
In 100 grams of chicken, you can expect to find about 141.2 mg of purines and 31 grams of protein, especially in skinless chicken breast. Chicken breast is the leanest cut and contains the most protein.
Detailed breakdown:
Protein: 31 grams per 100g in skinless chicken breast.
Purines: Chicken breast has a moderate purine content, around 141.2 mg per 100g.
Purines in other chicken cuts: Legs and wings also have moderate purine content, with legs having 122.9 mg and wings having 137.5 mg per 100g, respectively.
Purine vs Protein
Purines are chemical compounds, while proteins are complex biomolecules. Both are related in that proteins are a source of purines. When proteins are broken down, they release amino acids, some of which can be converted into purines. Purines, in turn, are metabolized into uric acid, which can contribute to conditions like gout if not properly excreted.
-
Purine Dietary sources:Animal-based proteins, such as meat, fish, and poultry, are generally high in purines.organ meats, red meat, certain seafood, and some alcoholic beverages
- Natural Production: The body synthesizes purines for the construction of DNA and RNA.
xanthine oxidase inhibitors mechanism of action
Mechanism of Inhibition:
Xanthine oxidase inhibitors competitively inhibit the enzyme, preventing it from converting hypoxanthine and xanthine into uric acid.
Hypoxanthine and xanthine are purine derivatives that are products of purine catabolism
-
Metabolism:hypoxanthine’s a product of purine metabolism, specifically a breakdown product of adenosine monophosphate (AMP). It’s also a key intermediate in the pathway that converts purines to uric acid.
Xanthine oxidase inhibitors are of two kinds: purine analogues and others. Purine analogues include allopurinol, oxypurinol, and tisopurine. Others include febuxostat, topiroxostat, and inositols (phytic acid and myo-inositol).
Purine analogues are synthetic compounds that mimic purines, the natural building blocks of DNA and RNA. They are used as antimetabolites, interfering with cellular processes like DNA and RNA synthesis, and are commonly used in cancer treatments
Antimetabolite Action:
They disrupt cellular processes by interfering with enzymes and DNA/RNA synthesis
What happens to hypoxanthine and xanthine If they not converted to uric acid?
If hypoxanthine and xanthine aren’t converted to uric acid, they accumulate and are more easily excreted by the kidneys than uric acid. This can lead to a condition called xanthinuria, where xanthine is excreted in the urine due to a deficiency in the enzyme xanthine oxidase/dehydrogenase.
Xanthinuria:
In xanthinuria, the deficiency in xanthine oxidase leads to the accumulation of xanthine in the body, particularly in the urine. This can result in the formation of xanthine kidney stones.
Clinical Manifestations:
While xanthinuria is relatively rare, it can cause various health issues, including kidney stones, joint pain, and muscle aches.
xanthine oxidase enzyme function
-
-
Purine Catabolism:XO plays a key role in the degradation of purine nucleotides, a process that is essential for cell turnover and the removal of waste products.
-
-
Oxidation of Hypoxanthine and Xanthine:XO catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then xanthine to uric acid.
-
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production:As a byproduct of the oxidation reactions, XO generates ROS, including superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide. This ROS production can contribute to oxidative stress and various pathological conditions.
-
Uric Acid Production:The final product of the purine catabolism pathway, uric acid, is then excreted by the kidneys.
-
Antimicrobial Role (in milk):In milk, XO functions as part of the mammary gland’s immune system, working in conjunction with lactoperoxidase and nitric oxide to combat infection.
-
Other Activities:XO can also act on other purines, pterins, and aldehydes.
-
Hyperuricemia and Gout:Elevated uric acid levels, often due to increased XO activity or reduced excretion, can lead to gout and other related diseases.
-
Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase:Drugs that inhibit XO, such as allopurinol, are used to treat hyperuricemia and gout.
-
Oxidative Stress:XO’s role in ROS production has implications for various conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
How xanthine oxidase inhibitors affect kidneys
xanthine oxidase inhibitors side effects
Rash
Renal failure
Arthralgia (joint pain)
Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Blurred vision
Deafness
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Vertigo
Blood dyscrasias (disorders) such as:
Neutropenia (low levels of neutrophil, a type of immune cell)
Increase or decrease in levels of leukocytes
Agranulocytosis (low granulocytes, immune cells with granules)
Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Pancytopenia (decrease in all types of blood cells)
Eosinophilia (high level of eosinophils, a type of immune cells)
Thrombocytopenia (decrease in platelet count)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (easy bruising and bleeding due to thrombocytopenia)
Splenomegaly (spleen enlargement)
Electrolyte abnormalities
Dehydration
Thirst
Skin and subcutaneous reactions such as:
Generalized rash
Urticaria (hives)
Pruritus (itching)
Dermatitis
Dermographism (a skin condition that causes welts to develop with scratching or stroking the skin)
Eczema
Peeling skin
Photosensitivity
Ecchymosis (bruising)
Petechiae (skin discoloration)
Skin lesions
Skin edema
Abnormal skin odor
Purpura (purple spots on the skin caused by small blood vessels bursting)
Angioedema (swelling in the tissue under the skin or mucous membranes)
Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (a severe skin condition with widespread redness, skin cell death, and exfoliation which can lead to sepsis)
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a rare medical emergency with flu-like symptoms and a painful rash)
Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
Alopecia (hair loss)
Abnormal hair growth
Hair color changes
Hot flush
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Cardiac disorders such as:
Angina pectoris (chest pain due to coronary heart disease)
Atrial fibrillation/flutter
Cardiac murmur
Abnormal ECG
Palpitations
Sinus bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
Cardiovascular abnormalities
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Bronchospasm
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Respiratory tract congestion
Cough
Sneezing
Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial passage)
Pharyngitis (throat inflammation)
Pharyngeal edema
Throat irritation
Nasal dryness
Epistaxis (nasal bleeding)
Paranasal sinus hypersecretion
Upper respiratory tract infection
Gastrointestinal (GI) effects such as:
Abdominal distention
Abdominal pain and discomfort
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Dyspepsia (indigestion)
Flatulence
Frequent stools
Gastritis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Hematemesis (blood in vomit)
Hyperchlorhydria (high hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach)
Hematochezia (blood in stools)
Peptic ulcer
Dry mouth
Mouth ulceration
Gingival pain (gum pain)
Increase or decrease in appetite
Weight gain or loss
Anorexia (loss of appetite)
Diabetes mellitus
Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels)
Hyperlipidemia (high levels of blood fats)
Hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol)
Hypertriglyceridemia (high level of triglycerides in the blood)
Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood)
Hepatotoxicity (toxicity to the liver)
Abnormal liver function results
Liver disorders
Jaundice
Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver)
Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
Hepatomegaly (liver enlargement)
Liver failure
Cholelithiasis (gallstones)
Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Kidney function abnormality
Tubulointerstitial nephritis (inflammation of the tubules and surrounding tissue in the kidney)
Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
Renal damage
Renal insufficiency
Hematuria (blood in the urine)
Proteinuria (excessive protein excretion in the urine)
Pollakiuria (frequent urination)
Urinary urgency
Incontinence
Chest pain and discomfort
Edema
Feeling abnormal
Fatigue
Lethargy
Malaise
Asthenia (weakness)
Pain
Influenza-like symptoms
Arthritis
Joint stiffness
Joint swelling
Muscle spasms and twitching
Muscle tightness
Muscle weakness
Musculoskeletal stiffness and pain
Hypotonia (decreased muscle tone)
Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of skeletal muscle cells)
Foot drop
Gait disturbance
Balance disorder
Peripheral neuritis (nerve inflammation)
Sensory-motor neuropathy (nerve damage)
Guillain-Barre syndrome (a rare neurological disorder)
Tremor
Hemiparesis (muscle weakness on one side of the body)
Hypoesthesia (reduced skin sensation)
Paresthesia (abnormal skin sensation)
Lacunar infarction (a type of stroke caused by a block in a small blood vessel deep in the brain)
Cerebrovascular accident
Transient ischemic attack (stroke caused by reduced blood flow to the brain)
Altered taste
Hyposmia (reduced sense of smell)
Iritis (inflammation of the iris)
Macular retinitis (inflammation in macula, the central portion of the retina)
Cataracts
Headache
Migraine
Somnolence (drowsiness)
Dizziness
Mental impairment
Confusion
Agitation
Aggression
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Irritability
Nervousness
Panic attack
Personality change
Decrease in libido
Erectile dysfunction
Gynecomastia (breast tissue growth in males)
Breast pain
Herpes zoster infection
Abnormal blood and urine test results
Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
Ask a Question: