Hyperuricemia and gout

Gout is not a new disease for clinicians; nevertheless, there are still many secrets awaiting discovery for improving knowledge with respect to uric acid metabolism and monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammation. This review of the literature will focus on new insights on the pathogenesis of idiopathic hyperuricemia, and on secondary hyperuricemia and gout. There are also important advances on the pathophysiology of acute gout, especially as a self-limited process (switch from monocyte to macrophage, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma, and nitric oxide), but also of chronic gouty arthropathy. Armaments for treating hyperuricemia and gout may be already improved by losartan or fenofibrate and, in the future, by urate oxydase-polyethylene glycol 20 and renal handling regulatory molecules. Finally, control of hyperuricemia may also be considered in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.