This gout crystals & tendons report is a layman’s summary of an investigation into the effects of uric acid crystals on tendons, presented at the 2012 American College of Rheumatology meeting. I have added a note about the peer-reviewed version published in the April 2014 edition of Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Gout Crystals

Gout crystals is another name for uric acid crystals. These form when uric acid levels in the blood are too high to remain in solution. Uric acid occasionally forms pure crystals, but usually bonds with sodium and other elements to form urate crystals. These are attacked by the immune system to form the common acute gout flare. Gout crystals also grow into bone, cartilage, and tendons resulting in permanent damage.

Definitions: Tenocytes & Periarticular

Tenocytes
Tenocytes are the cells that form tendons. They produce collagen molecules, which bind together to form tendons.
Periarticular
Periarticular means surrounding the joints. The art in periarticular is the same art in arthritis. Thus, gouty arthritis is swollen joints from gout.

Gout Crystals & Tendons Study

Title:
Monosodium Urate Crystals Inhibit Tenocyte Viability and Function: Implications for Periarticular Involvement in Chronic Gout
Authors:
Ashika Chhana1, Karen E. Callon1, Bregina Pool1, Dorit Naot1, Gregory Gamble1, Brendan Coleman2, Fiona M. McQueen1, Jillian Cornish1 and Nicola Dalbeth1, 1University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, 2Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
Published:
ACR Annual Meeting Nov 2012

Gout Crystals & Tendons Study: Background/Purpose

We used to see uric acid crystals in joints, only by extracting joint fluid and viewing it under microscopes. Now that advanced imaging techniques show uric acid crystals more clearly, we can also see them in tissues surrounding joints.

Specialist cells near joints are destined to become different structures within joints. Some will become bone, some cartilage, etc. This study deals with tenocytes, which will become tendons – assuming they survive the onslaught of uric acid crystals.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of uric acid crystals on the ability of tenocytes to live and succeed in growing collagen for tendons.

Gout Crystals & Tendons Study: Methods

The researchers sourced rat tenocytes from their tails and human tenocytes from patients undergoing joint surgery.

Cells were grown in laboratory cultures, including samples with different concentrations of uric acid crystals.

Gout Crystals & Tendons Study: Results

Both rat and human tenocytes showed the same reactions to uric acid crystals. These reactions were not affected by concentrations of soluble uric acid, or by the size of uric acid crystals. The reactions were directly related to the number of uric acid crystals present.

The reactions of tenocytes in the presence of uric acid crystals are:

  • They die, but do not disintegrate
  • Collagen production is reduced

Gout Crystals & Tendons Study: Conclusion

The researchers conclude that uric acid crystals do reduce the ability of tenocytes to live and succeed in growing collagen. From this, they conclude that uric acid crystals may contribute to tendon damage in patients with long-term gout.

Uric Acid Crystals Attack Tendons
Are your tendons damaged by uric acid crystals?

Gout Crystals & Tendons: Next Steps

Following the presentation to the rheumatologist meeting, the gout crystals study has now been published as “Interactions between tenocytes and monosodium urate monohydrate crystals: implications for tendon involvement in gout”

It re-emphasizes the points about tissue damage from gout crystals in or around joints. Uric acid crystals reduce the ability of the joint tissue to repair itself. They also grow into tendons where they attach to bones, and into the tendon itself.

Joints are therefore weakened, but we gain an insight into the power of our joints to repair themselves – just as long as we take action to remove uric acid crystals.

Generally, we can reduce uric acid to safe levels. The sooner you do this, the better, and try to get uric acid well below 5 for a few months to speed up the rate at which old gout crystals dissolve. If you are not sure how to do this, or you want help understanding the processes revealed by this gout research, then please ask in the gout forums.

If your gout has worsened to the point where you suspect tendinitis, it is probably time to find a rheumatologist.

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