The synovial fluid from patients with gouty arthritis showed an enhanced activity to induce superoxide generation by neutrophils and decreased complement levels, as compared to synovial fluid of osteoarthritis. Allopurinol inhibited superoxide generation by hypoxanthinexanthine oxidase system (HPX-XOD) in dose dependent fashion. Colchicine in extremely higher dose than clinically used inhibited superoxide generation both by HPX-XOD and neutrophils. The role of urate crystals in the synovia l fluid on superoxide generation and complement activation was discussed.
