Rare earth element nanoparticles show potential as gout treatment

One of the world’s most abundant rare earth elements could offer a comprehensive, long-lasting treatment for gout, a Chinese team has found.

More than 55 million people worldwide had gout in 2020, according to US health data, with the number expected to rise by 70 per cent by 2050.

The disease begins with raised uric acid levels in the blood, or hyperuricemia. Consistently high uric acid causes the formation of joint crystals that trigger severe, sudden pain attacks. If left untreated, this monosodium urate (MSU) crystal build-up can lead to joint deformities, kidney damage and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers with the school of pharmaceutical sciences at Shanghai Jiao Tong University are now holding out hope, with a medication based on rare earth oxide nanoparticles that could target the cause of gout and relieve its severe pain.

Animal studies showed that the drug not only lowers uric acid levels but also reduces the formation of gout crystals, alleviates inflammation, and inhibits osteoclast or bone breakdown activity, thereby addressing all painful symptoms of gouty arthritis (GA), the team said.