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Iowa City, IA – A recent preclinical study has revealed that uric acid may offer a new avenue for improving long-term outcomes after acute ischemic stroke. The research, conducted on rodents, suggests that uric acid could potentially be used as an add-on therapy to standard stroke treatments in humans.
The study, published in the journal Stroke, was led by Enrique Leira, M.D., and Anil Chauhan, Ph.D., at the University of Iowa. Researchers utilized a well-established rodent model of stroke, designed to closely mimic human stroke conditions. The rodents were administered either intravenous uric acid or a saline control, and their recovery was monitored over a period of one month.
The researchers employed a comprehensive approach to assess the treatment’s effects, including behavioral and neurological assessments, as well as MRI scans. Notably, mice treated with uric acid demonstrated significantly improved sensorimotor function, which was the primary outcome measure, 30 days post-stroke. Furthermore, a higher survival rate was observed in the uric acid group compared to the control group.
Interestingly, while sensorimotor function improved, some secondary outcome measures, such as brain damage, did not show a reduction. The research team also investigated the efficacy of uric acid across diverse groups, including male and female animals, older, young, and obese mice, and rats with hypertension. Encouragingly, uric acid showed positive effects across all these groups, indicating its potential for broad application in human trials, including patients with stroke comorbidities.
Ischemic stroke, a leading cause of disability and death, occurs when a blood clot obstructs blood flow to the brain. Current treatments focus on breaking up clots and restoring blood flow. However, complete recovery is not always achieved. The researchers suggest that incorporating treatments that protect brain tissue from damage, such as uric acid, could enhance the effectiveness of standard therapies and improve patient recovery.
This study was conducted as part of the NIH’s Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN), which emphasizes rigorous and transparent preclinical research designed to replicate clinical trials. SPAN utilizes standard clinical practices, such as randomization and blinded analysis, in animal studies to increase the likelihood of success in human clinical trials.
The study’s authors, including Rakesh B. Patel, highlight the promising results in their publication, “Uric Acid Stroke Cerebroprotection Transcended Sex, Age, and Comorbidities in a Multicenter Preclinical Trial,” published in Stroke (2025). The DOI for the study is 10.1161/STROKEAHA.124.048748.
Disclaimer: It is important to note that this study was conducted on rodents, and further research, including human clinical trials, is necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of uric acid as a stroke treatment in humans. These findings should not be interpreted as medical advice, and individuals should consult with healthcare professionals for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to their health or treatment.
