Effect of tart cherry juice on risk of gout attacks: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

IntroductionGout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis associated with several comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease. Cherries, which are rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidative bioactive compounds, are proposed to be efficacious in preventing and treating gout, but recommendations to patients are conflicting. Cherry consumption has been demonstrated to lower serum urate levels and inflammation in several small studies. One observational case cross-over study reported that cherry consumption was associated with reduced risk of recurrent gout attacks. This preliminary evidence requires substantiation. The proposed randomised clinical trial aims to test the effect of consumption of tart cherry juice on risk of gout attacks.Methods and analysisThis 12-month, parallel, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial will recruit 120 individuals (aged 18–80 years) with a clinical diagnosis of gout who have self-reported a gout flare in the previous year. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group, which will receive Montmorency tart cherry juice daily for a 12-month period, or a corresponding placebo group, which will receive a cherry-flavoured placebo drink. The primary study outcome is change in frequency of self-reported gout attacks. Secondary outcome measures include attack intensity, serum urate concentration, fractional excretion of uric acid, biomarkers of inflammation, blood lipids and other markers of cardiovascular risk. Other secondary outcome measures will be changes in physical activity and functional status. Statistical analysis will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been granted ethical approval by the National Research Ethics Service, Yorkshire and The Humber—Leeds West Research Ethics Committee (ref: 18/SW/0262). Results of the trial will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberNCT03621215.

2022 update of the Austrian Society of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation nutrition and lifestyle recommendations for patients with gout and hyperuricemia

“…Hence, the outcome of an ongoing study by Lamb et al not yet published, remains to be seen. This study is the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of tart cherry juice in reducing the risk of recurrent gout flares [ 59 ]. The results of this important study could be decisive for further assessment.…”

Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activities, and Health Beneficial Effects of Selected Commercial Berry Fruits: A Review

“…reported that cherry consumption affected the risk of recurrent gout attacks (Zhang, Neogi, Chen, Chaisson, Hunter, & Choi, 2012). Recently Lamb et al, (2020) also demonstrated the effect of tart cherry juice to reduce risk of recurrent gout flare (Lamb, Lynn, Russell, & Barker, 2020). Di Bonaventura et al, (2020) indicated that tract cherry has potential role to prevent obesity-related risk factors, especially neuroinflammation based on a rat model study (Di Bonaventura et al, 2020).…”

Treatment of gout, traditional and new pharmacotherapy use

“…Ich konzumácia znižuje hladinu urikémie a riziko vzniku akútneho dnového záchvatu. Predpokladá sa, že za tento účinok sú zodpovedné antokyány alebo iné fenolové zlúčeniny obsiahnuté v čerešniach (9).…”