Macro-history of Gout: 4650 years of scientific progress

期刊連結：http://www.gouthyperuricemia.com Purpose To make a macro-review of the scientific milestones in the investigation of gout during the past 4650 years and to find a future direction. Findings There has been rapid progress within the investigation of gout in the 21st century, including the discovery of TLR2/4, inflammasome, and purinergic path-way upon the acute gout. Meanwhile, lots of urate transporters have been discovered. In addition, HLA-B*5801 has been identified as a high risk marker to allopurinol related severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR). Furthermore, febuxostat, a new xanthine oxidase inhibitor has been developed, which might be able to avoid SCAR from allopurinol. Conclusion Gout, a disease that has afflicted human beings for more than 4650 years, is being understood and managed much better than before. But the mechanism for the development of tophus has yet to be completely understood and war-rants further investigation in the future.