Aim: 

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between high levels of serum acid uric and insulin resistance in obese elderly.

Methods: 

36 patients (18 females), 65–75 years old, showing levels of serum acid uric > 6 mg/dL, were studied. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), triceps skinfold (TS). Insulin and HOMA index were determined before and after hypo-caloric, purine-poor diet treatment for six months.

Results: 

Males showed significant decrease in BMI (32,11 ± 4,04 vs. 34,80 ±4,40 kg/mq baseline), WC (110,6 ± 9,64 vs. 117,3 ± 9,27 cm), TS (18,73 ± 5,43 vs. 23,19 ± 6,77 mm), uric acid (6,27 ± 1,28 vs. 7,6 ± 1,25 mg/Dl), plasma glucose (105 ±16 vs. 114 ± 25 mg/dL), insulin (7,48±1,1 vs. 15,16±8,3 UI/L), HOMA index (1,39 ± 0,75 vs. 4,28 ± 2,5). However, WHR did not change (1,02 ± 0,04 vs. 1,03 ±0,03). Females revealed reduction in BMI (35,55 ± 4,72 vs. 37,06 ± 5,02 kg/mq), WC (106,43 ±10,56 vs. 109,92 ±11,78 cm), WHR (0,90±0,04 vs. 1,05 ± 0,05), TS (30,9 ± 5,65 vs. 32,78 ± 5,24 mm), uric acid (5,51 ± 0,95 vs. 6,74±0,93), plasma glucose (103,7±14,31 vs. 106,45±17,38 mg/dL), insulin (10,5 ± 2,5 vs. 11,6 ± 5,3 UI/L), HOMA index (0,50±1,11 vs. 3,09 ±1,72).

Conclusions: 

Our results indicate that weight loss by purine-poor diet reduced insulin resistance, suggesting that specific pathophysiological mechanisms could relate obesity, high levels of acid uric and insulin resistance.