Uric acid is a
heterocyclic compound of
carbon,
nitrogen,
oxygen, and
hydrogen with the
formula C
5H
4N
4O
3. It forms ions and salts known as
urates and
acid urates, such as ammonium acid urate. Uric acid is a product of the metabolic breakdown of
purine nucleotides. High blood concentrations of uric acid can lead to
gout and are associated with other medical conditions including
diabetes and the formation of ammonium acid urate
kidney stones.