Developing Animal Gout Models

Gout is a common type of inflammatory arthritis caused by elevated uric acid levels in the blood. When uric acid levels are too high, monosodium urate (MSU) crystals can form in the body, especially in and around joints. These MSU crystals are sharp and can cause inflammation when they are deposited in the joints, leading to a painful condition known as gouty arthritis. To support the development of effective gout therapies, precise animal models are needed to properly evaluate drug candidates.

Animal gout flare models, elicited by MSU crystals, mimic the main histopathological features of human gouty arthritis, including damage to cartilage and joint swelling. In our protocol publication, WuXi Biology scientists describe essential methods for MSU crystal preparation and development of MSU-induced gout flare models in mice, rats, and rabbits.