Physiological Adaptation Q 137
JP has been diagnosed with gout and wants to know why colchicine is used in the treatment of gout. Which of the following actions of colchicines explains why it’s effective for gout?
A. Replaces estrogen.
B. Decreases infection.
C. Decreases inflammation.
D. Decreases bone demineralization.
Correct Answer: C. Decreases inflammation.
The action of colchicines is to decrease inflammation by reducing the migration of leukocytes to synovial fluid.
Option A: Colchicine does not replace estrogen. Colchicine works by reducing the inflammation caused by crystals of uric acid in the joints.
Option B: Decreasing infection is not a mechanism of action of colchicine. The primary mechanism of action of colchicine is tubulin disruption. This leads to subsequent downregulation of multiple inflammatory pathways and modulation of innate immunity.
Option D: Colchicine doesn’t decrease bone demineralization. The toxic effects of colchicine are related to this anti-mitotic activity within proliferating tissue such as skin, hair, and bone marrow.