Comprehensive evaluation of gout models for assessing drug efficacy: Insights from multifaceted approaches

Gout, a prevalent disorder linked to abnormal uric acid metabolism, imposes a substantial health burden worldwide. Precise animal models for evaluating drug effects are crucial for the development of effective gout therapies.

This study established several gout models to evaluate drug efficacy, including the air pouch gout model (in mouse and rat), intra-articular injection gout model (in mouse, rat, and rabbit), and hyperuricemia model. Various drugs, such as glucocorticoids, colchicine, and uric acid metabolic pathway-related drugs, were assessed for efficacy based on clinical phenotypes, cytokine profiling, histopathology, and measurement of peripheral blood uric acid levels.

Distinct gout models exhibited unique characteristics in evaluating drug efficacy. Different drugs demonstrated varying effects across models concerning clinical presentation, cytokine changes, and histopathological alterations. Notably, NLRP3 inhibitors displayed a significant inhibitory effect on gout progression.

This study provides critical insights into the selection of appropriate models and evaluation methods for assessing specific gout drug efficacy. Through a multifaceted comparison across diverse models, the research offers guidance for the development and clinical application of gout medications.