Urate binding to serum albumin: lack of influence on renal clearance of uric acid.

Fractional excretion of uric acid (Curate/Ccreat X 100) was determined in 1 4-year-old analbuminemic child and an age-matched control. Fractional excretion of urate was 19% in the analbuminemic child and 24% in the control subject. These values are within the range reported for normal children of this age. We conclude from this study that urate binding to serum albumin is not an important determinant of the renal clearance of uric acid, and by inference there is no significant binding of urate to serum albumin in vivo.