Allantoin

Allantoin is a product of purine and uric acid metabolism.{45992} It is formed through oxidation of uric acid by urate oxidase in most mammals but is formed only through non-enzymatic oxidation by free radicals in humans. Urinary levels of allantoin are increased prior to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in mice expressing mutations in amyloid precursor protein and tau (APP/tau) but not during the early/middle stage of the disease, indicating its potential use as a biomarker for predicting Alzheimer’s disease onset.{45993} Due to the formation of allantoin by free radicals in humans, increased urinary levels are a potential biomarker for oxidative stress status.{45992}