Influence of Obesity on Endogenous Oxalate Synthesis

There is increasing evidence that obesity is associated with increased urinary oxalate excretion, an important risk factor for calcium oxalate stone formation. By the administration of a controlled low oxalate diet the investigators will estimate endogenous oxalate synthesis in both non-obese and obese non-kidney-stone forming adults. This study seeks to thusly increase the understanding of the relationships between obesity and endogenous oxalate synthesis to serve as a platform to develop novel therapies for stone prevention.

Calcium oxalate stone disease results in billions of dollars in healthcare costs per year, creates large economic losses due to decreased work productivity, and produces significant pain and suffering in affected individuals impacting quality of life. Almost 9% of the population in the United States may now experience a stone event at least once in their lifetime and that figure is increasing. Although stone removing treatments have advanced in the last few decades with a variety of minimally invasive procedures such as shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy, our knowledge of how stones form and how to prevent them has not kept pace. Approximately 70-80% of the stones formed contain oxalate. Oxalate is an end product of metabolism and an ubiquitous element of human diets. Small increases in urinary oxalate can increase calcium oxalate crystal formation and thus stone disease. Urinary oxalate levels are affected by both dietary and endogenous components, complicating the discrimination between the two sources. Multiple epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated a link between body mass index (BMI) and kidney stone disease and also an increased urinary oxalate excretion. The interpretation of studies suggesting a link between obesity and the amount of urinary oxalate excreted is confounded by the failure in most studies to use diets controlled in calcium and oxalate. Adult humans without a history of kidney stones will be placed on controlled low oxalate diets to estimate the contribution of endogenous oxalate synthesis to the urinary oxalate pool. In addition, oral doses of 13C2-glycolate and 13C6- vitamin C will be used to determine their conversions to 13C2-oxalate and provide an index of endogenous oxalate production. Body morphometric indices, markers of oxidative stress, and insulin resistance will be assessed in these subjects.They will also be evaluated with DXA and MRI to define body fat content and distribution.

Participants will consume a diet that is controlled in its daily contents of oxalate, calcium, vitamin C and sodium, and in its content of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Participants will be asked not to take any dietary supplements (vitamins, calcium or other minerals, herbal supplements, nutritional aids), to exercise strenuously, or to consume food or drink that is not provided to them as part of the controlled diet.

Inclusion Criteria: Age 25-60 years Body Mass Index (BMI) <50 Exclusion Criteria: history of kidney stones history of diabetes, hepatic disease, renal disease including Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), bowel disease or other endocrine disorders pregnant or lactating women, or those with the intention to become pregnant in the near future abnormal liver enzymes hemoglobin A1C > 6.5