Serum uric acid, insulin secretion and resistance in nonhyperuricemic and hyperuricemic obese female subjects.

In order to study the relationships between obesity, serum uric acid, insulin secretion and insulin resistance in female subjects, we evaluated serum C-peptide and glucose-induced insulin utilization (euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp) in 16 obese (8 nonhyperuricemic and 8 hyperuricemic) and 10 nonobese control subjects. Baseline C-peptide levels were significantly higher in hyperuricemic compared to both nonhyperuricemic obese subjects and controls (P < 0.001). M values, a measure of glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity, were significantly lower in hyperuricemic obese compared to nonhyperuricemic obese subjects and controls (P < 0.001) and, for all subjects were inversely correlated with the serum uric acid values (r = -0.821, P < 0.001). In conclusion, in this group of subjects the serum uric acid values were directly related to insulin resistance independently of age, sex, excess body weight, fat distribution and blood pressure.