Natural Anti-Oxidant Provides Clues for ParkinsonâsTreatment

["M.Schild" <mmoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Natural Anti-Oxidant Provides Clues for Parkinsonâs Treatment 
By Health Matters â May 4th, 2008 â Category: BLOGS, Medical Research, 
Neurology, Parkinson's Disease, Supplements  
A naturally occurring anti-oxidant in humans has lead researchers to believe 
there is a link between serum urate levels and the progression of Parkinsonâs 
disease.
Urate, once believed to be a useless a by-product of metabolism, is now 
thought to play âan important role in keeping us healthy,â according to 
Alberto Ascherio, MD, of the Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, 
Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts. The study is 
published in the April 14 Online First issue of the Archives of Neurology.
The authors found that patients who had the highest levels of serum urate had 
the slowest progression of early Parkinsonâs disease. Data from the PRECEPT 
study was used, which involved 806 people with Parkinsonâs disease; followed 
between April 2002and April 2004. Baseline urate measurements were obtainable 
in 804 of the participants, and the study included men and women. The group 
was at least 30 years of age, and not receiving traditional drug therapy for 
Parkinsonâs disease. Data from sixty five sites across the US and Canada were 
reviewed.
Urate levels were higher in males, those with obesity, gout, high blood 
pressure, and increased body mass index. Certain types of diuretics also 
increase uric acid levels in the body. As urate levels declined, symptoms of 
Parkinsonâs disease progressed. The correlation was strongest among the men, 
and the researchers donât exactly know why women seem to be protected.
Since the whole process is complex as it relates to anti-oxidant protection, 
we still donât know exactly where this study will lead. âUrate captures the 
oxygen and prevents the damage to other molecules; itâs a sort of scavenger 
of oxygen,â according to Dr. Ascherio. He added that researchers do not yet 
fully understood the exact protective mechanism involving urate. Alcohol and 
sugars increase serum urate levels, while dairy products and Vitamin C 
decrease urate levels, but produce high levels of ascorbates which are also 
powerful anti-oxidants. High serum urate levels in the body increase the risk 
of gout, heart disease and kidney stones. Thus, for now, the authors can only 
speculate about the protective mechanism of urate.
Inosine is a precursor to urate. The Michael J. Fox Foundation has provided 
5.6 million dollars to fund a phase 2 clinical trial to determine the safety 
and tolerability of Inosine, which is available as a supplement. They hope to 
see if Inosine can safely raise urate levels. We know that high levels can 
lead to gout, heart disease and kidney stones.
I canât help but be reminded of the beauty of synergy and balance. When we 
study a part of the whole, of course, we are lead to further mysteries.
Another thought - urine therapy (urate is excreted by the kidneys) has been 
advocated across many cultures, and for centuries. Iâm not recommending it - 
Iâm just sayingâ..
You can read more about the history urine therapy at The Skeptics Dictionary.
Archive of Neurology: Published online April 14, 2008.

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