| The trace element molybdenum is a cofactor of xanthine oxidase and is involved in the degradation of purines via xanthine to uric acid. Due to chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases and after an intestinal resection, a malfunction of xanthine oxidase can occur due to impaired molybdenum resorption. A deficiency of xanthine oxidase leads to an increase in the blood level of xanthine, which cannot be reused in the body and is therefore excreted via urine. Disease symptoms such as xanthine stones can occur in the urinary tract. In addition to a low-purine diet with high fluid intake, supplementation with molybdenum can reduce the symptoms of acquired xanthinuria. |
