The effects of alcoholic beverages on urate metabolism in gout sufferers.

The purine contents of commercial, low-alcohol and alcohol-free beers were determined. Four gout sufferers were studied under controlled conditions before and after ingestion of four different beverages containing alcohol, alcohol and purine, purine and neither alcohol nor purine. The results show a significant increase in purine excretion with a fluid load alone and impairment or reversal of this response with the other three beverages. These results are difficult to interpret on the basis of the alcohol and purine contents of the beverages alone. Isohumulones are present in all beers. Their effect on urate metabolism and excretion is unknown but needs further study as a possible explanation of these results. These results suggest that the three beverages other than a fluid load alone are unsuitable for gout sufferers.