One of the arthritic diseases is gout in which sodium urate crystals are deposited in cartilage, especially in the feet. 90% of victims are men, perhaps because men are more likely to come in contact with lead, a kidney poison. The crystals are thought to be ingested by white blood cells and produce inflammation by rupture of the lysosome sacs and release of their contents Urate is the major end product of purine [nucleoproteins] degradation in higher primates in contrast to most other mammals because of the genetic silencing of hepatic oxidative enzyme uricase. The kidney plays the dominant role in urate excretion, with the intestines accounting for about one third as much. Lin has statistical evidence linking gout to lead poisoning. The lead poisoning makes the aldosterone system insensitive to potassium concentration and increases the potassium content of the blood plasma. The blood lead content is no indicator of toxicity and the status must be obtained with an EDTA mobilization test. Lead level in the body is significantly correlated with urate excretion and gout. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
chelator of lead has successfully increased uric acid excretion. Fluoride increase lead intake. Other poisons than lead may move one a little closer to gout also, such as timalol combined with hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride (a diuretic. I also suspect that toluol or some other chemical in acrylic automobile enamel may be able to trigger gout. I have heard of a doctor who gave his patients potassium losing diuretics and thus triggered an attack of gout. By adding a potassium supplement he was able to remove the gout. A medical doctor has used potassium supplements for gout. Gout can be triggered by the same agents that cause potassium losses such as fasting, surgery, and potassium losing diuretics [Rodman]. A potassium deficiency can increase urate levels in the blood [Davis] Urate kidney stones form during gout in a 10-30% of cases [Colton]. Making the urine less acid with potassium citrate or sodium bicarbonate is a current treatment for kidney stones [Shekarriz] [Rodman]. Potassium citrate has been successfully used to eliminate urate stones and sodium bicarbonate did not prevent their formation [Pak]. I have rapidly removed gout symptoms by large potassium bicarbonate supplements several times. Potassium bicarbonate may be obtained from organizations selling it as a wine additive.