Inositol Supplementation Use in Rheumatic Diseases

Background: Inositol is a structural component of phosphatidyl-inositol and related phosphates, implicated in glucose metabolism, endothelial function, and reproductive health. Although widely studied in metabolic and reproductive conditions, its role in rheumatic diseases remains largely unexplored. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scielo, and LILACS databases was conducted up to July 2024, without language restrictions, focusing on clinical trials and excluding review articles and in vitro studies. Results: Only one clinical study was identified, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 31 asymptomatic hyperuricemic individuals. Inositol hexaphosphate (600 mg twice daily for two weeks) significantly reduced serum uric acid levels compared to placebo, though urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio remained unchanged. Complementary animal studies suggested that inositol may inhibit uric acid metabolism through suppression of purine nucleotide hydrolysis and modulation of postprandial uric acid response. Conclusion: Preliminary evidence indicates that inositol supplementation may reduce uric acid levels in hyperuricemic subjects. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and to investigate the potential role of inositol in other rheumatic diseases.