Description
Background/Introduction: Xanthine Oxidase (XO) catalyzes the sequential oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine, and xanthine to uric acid and hydrogen peroxide. In humans and other primates, XO controls the final step of purine catabolism and is normally found in the liver and the intestinal mucosa. In rodents, XO is broadly expressed in most tissues. While XO activity is normally very low in blood, liver injury can result in the release of XO into blood. XO may contribute to the pathogenesis of gout and cardiovascular disease, and XO activity or expression may be upregulated in these conditions. The rate of formation of urate from hypoxanthine is determined by measuring increased absorbance at 290 nm