In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, researchers have discovered that the unique way reptiles excrete waste could unlock new treatments for gout and kidney stones in humans. The study focused on the solid urine—known as urates—produced by snakes and other reptiles, revealing that these animals crystallize uric acid into tiny spheres as a water-conserving evolutionary adaptation.
Unlike humans, who excrete uric acid in liquid form, reptiles pass chalky white pellets composed primarily of uric acid. Scientists examined samples from over 20 species of snakes and lizards and found that these uric acid crystals are formed and expelled without causing internal damage—a process that could inspire safer methods for managing uric acid buildup in humans.
Gout and kidney stones are painful conditions caused by excess uric acid forming sharp crystals in joints or the urinary tract. The reptilian method of safely storing and eliminating uric acid in solid form has prompted researchers to explore biomimetic solutions that replicate this mechanism in human medicine.
Lead researcher Jennifer Swift of Georgetown University stated that understanding how reptiles manage uric acid could pave the way for new therapies that prevent or dissolve harmful crystals in the human body. The study also highlights the broader potential of evolutionary biology in solving modern health challenges.
This discovery marks a promising step toward developing treatments that are both effective and less invasive, offering hope to millions suffering from uric acid-related disorders.
