Li X, et al. - Experts intended to examine the role of xanthine oxidase (XO), a vital enzyme in uric acid (UA) metabolism and a major source of reactive oxygen species, in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A correlation was brought to light between elevated serum XO activity with an increased risk of developing T2DM in women and men with mutual adjustment for XO and UA. This was not noted with UA concentration.