Question

Which metal results in "saturnine gout" formation?

• A. Cadmium
• B. Lead
• C. Beryllium
• D. Mercury

Hint:

The word saturnine is the old alchemical name for one specific metal.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Start from the name. "Saturnine" is the historical descriptor for anything related to lead, so the question is essentially asking which metal causes lead-induced gout.
Step 2: Mechanistically, chronic lead exposure causes lead nephropathy, which decreases the kidney's ability to clear urate. The retained uric acid then deposits in joints as gout.
Step 3: Lead additionally interferes with purine handling, compounding the hyperuricaemia and making attacks more frequent.
Step 4: Differentiating the distractors: cadmium $\rightarrow$ itai-itai; beryllium $\rightarrow$ chronic granulomatous lung disease; mercury $\rightarrow$ acrodynia and CNS toxicity. Only lead links to gout. \[\boxed{\text{Lead}}\]