Serum mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) levels are decreased in gout patients

Objective: Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a circulating plasma protein that plays a pivotal role in innate immunity. We aimed to investigate serum levels of MBL in patients with gout disease. Material and methods: Mannose binding lectin levels were measured in sera of 38 patients with gout (study group; SG), 18 patients with other rheumatological diseases (patient controls; PC), and 24 healthy controls (HC) with ELISA. Results: Patients with gout had significantly lower serum MBL levels compared to HC and PC (SG: 1948 ± 1361ng/mL vs. HC: 2793 ± 2567 ng/mL and PC: 2355 ± 1218, p = 0.01). No significant difference was observed in serum MBL levels for PC (p = 0.1). Low MBL levels (500 ng/mL) were present in a higher proportion of gout patients compared to HC (21%, 8/38 vs. 12%, 3/24, p = 0.03). Interestingly, the gout patients with low MBL levels (500 ng/mL) used alcohol every day. Conclusions: Mannose binding lectin deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of gout patients.