[On the hypouricemic action of an alkaline mineral water in the aged].

The importance of loading tests, particularly venous loading with fructose, in the determination of changes in purine metabolism is stressed. Such changes may well be present even if basic uricaemia is within the limits of normal. Fructose loading was used to determine the hypouricaemising and uricosuric effects of a mediomineral water in aged subjects following daily administration. A hypouricaemising effect was noted and there was an improvement in loading curve patterns. This effect is considered to be primarily due to the uricosuric activity of the water itself. Sugar tolerance and the insulin response to loading, on the other hand, were not altered by the treatment.