Finding the Genes for Gout: the effect of fructose

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We have previously identified genetic variation in a urate transporter gene SLC2A9 as a key risk factor for development of gout in those of Maori, Pacific and Caucasian ancestry. This transporter is also a fructose transporter and in vitro assays have shown that fructose promotes transport of urate via SLC2A9. These observations are of clinical relevance, as fructose ingestion has been strongly associated with development of hyperuricaemia and gout. We wish to extend our initial observations by examining the influence of SLC2A9 genetic variation on fructose-induced hyperuricaemia. The primary hypothesis is that individuals possessing at least one protective allele at rs11942223 have a lower hyperuricaemic response to a fructose challenge. This study involves a fructose challenge test for 75 healthy volunteer control participants. The fructose challenge test takes approximately 3 hours and involves ingestion of a fructose/glucose drink and serial measurements of blood urate, creatinine and glucose. Blood will also be obtained for genotyping of SLC2A9 variants and other variants associated with hyperuricaemia