Quercetin lowers plasma uric acid in pre-hyperuricaemic males: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial

Br J Nutr. 2016 Mar 14;115(5):800-6. doi: 10.1017/S0007114515005310. Epub 2016 Jan 20.

Abstract

Elevated plasma uric acid concentration is a risk factor for gout, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Quercetin, a flavonoid found in high levels in onions, tea and apples, inhibits xanthine oxidoreductase in vitro, the final step in intracellular uric acid production, indicating that quercetin might be able to lower blood uric acid in humans. We determined the effects of 4 weeks of oral supplementation of quercetin on plasma uric acid, blood pressure and fasting glucose. This randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial recruited twenty-two healthy males (19-60 years) with baseline plasma uric acid concentration in the higher, but still considered healthy, range (339 (SD 51) µmol/l). The intervention included one tablet containing 500 mg quercetin daily for 4 weeks, compared with placebo, with a 4-week washout period between treatments. The primary outcome was change in concentrations of plasma uric acid after 2 and 4 weeks; secondary outcome measures were changes in fasting plasma glucose, 24-h urinary excretion of uric acid and resting blood pressure. After quercetin treatment, plasma uric acid concentrations were significantly lowered by -26·5 µmol/l (95% CI, -7·6, -45·5; P=0·008), without affecting fasting glucose, urinary excretion of uric acid or blood pressure. Daily supplementation of 500 mg quercetin, containing the bioavailable amount of quercetin as present in approximately 100 g red onions, for 4 weeks, significantly reduces elevated plasma uric acid concentrations in healthy males.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Clinical trials; Fasting glucose; Hyperuricaemia; Quercetin; Uric acid.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Hyperuricemia / drug therapy*
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quercetin / pharmacology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uric Acid / blood*
  • Uric Acid / urine
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Uric Acid
  • Quercetin