Faculty Bibliography

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) deficiency is a rare, but significant, cause of kidney stones and progressive chronic kidney disease. The optimal treatment has not been established. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the effect of the xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitors allopurinol and febuxostat on urinary 2,8-dihydroxyadenine (DHA) excretion in APRT deficiency patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Patients listed in the APRT Deficiency Registry of the Rare Kidney Stone Consortium, currently receiving allopurinol therapy, were invited to participate. The trial endpoint was the 24-h urinary DHA excretion following treatment with allopurinol (400mg/day) and febuxostat (80mg/day). Urinary DHA was measured using a novel ultra-performance liquid chromatography - electrospray tandem mass spectrometry assay. RESULTS:Eight of the 10 patients invited completed the study. The median (range) 24-h urinary DHA excretion was 116 (75-289) mg at baseline, and 45 (13-112) mg after 14days of allopurinol therapy (P=0.036). At the end of the febuxostat treatment period, 4 patients had urinary DHA below detectable limits (<20ng/mL) compared with none of the participants following allopurinol treatment (P=0.036). The other 4 participants had a median 24-h urinary DHA excretion of 13.2 (10.0-13.4) mg at the completion of febuxostat therapy (P=0.036). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Urinary DHA excretion in APRT deficiency patients decreased with conventional doses of both allopurinol and febuxostat. Febuxostat was, however, significantly more efficacious than allopurinol in reducing DHA excretion in the prescribed doses. This finding, which may translate into improved outcomes of patients with APRT deficiency, should be confirmed in a larger sample.

Because salicylism is a clinical diagnosis, the serum concentration should be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical presentation. A 26-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with abdominal painand had extremely elevated serum triglycerides (>7000 mg/dL). Ethanol, acetaminophen, and salicylate concentrations were checked because of concern of self-injurious behavior, which returned at 13.1 mg/dL, undetectable, and >100 mg/dL, respectively. His basic metabolic panel revealed a bicarbonate of 23 mEq/L and an anion gap of 11. An arterial blood gas showed a pH 7.39 and a PCO2 of 36.6 mmHg. On physical examination, he was awake and alert, and had a respiratory rate of 12–14/min. The possible effect of hyperlipidemia to falsely elevate the salicylate concentration was recognized. He was treated for severe hypertriglyceridemia and as his triglyceride level dropped, his repeat salicylate concentration was <1 mg/dL. Since dfferent sized lipoproteins contribute variably to serum sample turbiditythey have the potential to interfere with the absorption of light thereby producing erroneous laboratory results . Clinicians need to be aware of the implications of severe hyperlipidemia and interference to prevent clinical errors based on false positive laboratory results

Patients with complex chronic diseases usually must make multiple lifestyle changes to limit and manage their conditions. Numerous studies have shown that education alone is insufficient for engaging people in lifestyle behavior change, and that theory-based behavioral approaches also are necessary. However, even the most motivated individual may have difficulty with making lifestyle changes because of the information complexity associated with multiple behavior changes. The goal of the current Healthy Hearts and Kidneys study was to evaluate, different mobile health (mHealth)-delivered intervention approaches for engaging individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and concurrent chronic kidney disease (CKD) in behavior changes. Participants were randomized to 1 of 4 groups, receiving: (1) a behavioral counseling, (2) technology-based self-monitoring to reduce information complexity, (3) combined behavioral counseling and technology-based self-monitoring, or (4) baseline advice. We will determine the impact of randomization assignment on weight loss success and 24-hour urinary excretion of sodium and phosphorus. With this report we describe the study design, methods, and approaches used to assure information security for this ongoing clinical trial. Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT02276742.

Background: About 60-80% of kidney stones are composed of calcium oxalate (CaOx); idiopathic CaOx kidney stones (CaOPx), primary hyperoxaluria (PH) and enteric hyperoxaluria (EH) are diseases predisposing to stones. Oxalobacter formigenes (Oxf) is a human gut commensal that depends on oxalate for its carbon and energy, and may be protective against CaOx stones. We hypothesize that the microbiome community structure differs between patients with CaOx, PH, EH and normal subjects (NS). We also expect that Oxf isolates from PH patients will result in further reduction in urinary oxalate when compared to Oxf reference strain CC13, in a germ-free (GF) mouse model.
Method(s): We collected fecal specimens from 34 subjects (mean age: 39.1 +/- 11.9 years) with PH (n=6), CaOPx (n=10), EH (n= 5) and NS (n=13) in a cross-sectional observational study, and tested fecal samples from the groups by: 1)16S rRNA sequencing to determine the microbiome community structure, 2)PCR and qPCR for Oxf colonization and, 3) culturing in high oxalate selective media for indication of Oxf presence and subsequent isolation. We isolated Oxf from 4 PH (Oxf PH) subjects. We gavaged a growing culture of PH Oxf (n=6), Oxf reference strain CC13 (Oxf CC13) (n=5), and sham (n=6) into adult C5B6 GF mice, observing them for 4 weeks. We collected urine from mice for 48 hours before sacrifice to be tested for oxalate and creatinine (Uox/cr).
Result(s): Oxf was detected in 6 (46%) of 13 NS, 1 (10%) of 10 CaOPx, 0 (0%)of 4 EH, and 5 (83%) of 6 PH. Microbiome analysis revealed that the 4 groups differed in beta diversity, based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity (p=0.08). Alpha diversity analysis trended toward lower Shannon and phylogenetic diversity index in the CaOPx and EH subjects compared to PH and NS. Introducing the PH Oxf to GF mice led to lower Uox/cr than in uninoculated controls (0.68 +/- 0.14, and 2.26 +/-0.49, respectively, p=0.04 by Mann-Whitney U test), but not significantly different from the Oxf CC13-innoculated mice (0.68 +/- 0.14, and 0.91 +/-0.24, respectively, p=0.26 by Mann-Whitney U test).
Conclusion(s): These studies provide evidence of differences in Oxf colonization rates and in microbiome composition in patients with CaOx stones and show the functional capacity of a PH Oxf strain to ameliorate hyperoxaluria. Studies to expand these patient groups are on-going

Background: Behavioral methods enhance the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions, but are often resource intensive. Although mobile health (mHealth) technology can help create lower input interventions, their feasibility, acceptability and efficacy have not been adequately evaluated in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
Method(s): Maintenance HD patients with persistent hyperphosphatemia (n=40) were randomized to receive: (1) educational (Edu) videos (EDU), (2) Edu + mobile selfmonitoring (SM) with MyNetDiary (MON), or (3) Edu + SM + social cognitive theory (SCT)-based behavioral counseling videos (SCT) over a 12-week period with videos for each group delivered using iPads. Serum phosphorus concentrations (sPO4) were measured at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks, and a 5-point Likert scale survey on the mHealth technology was completed at 24-weeks. Two participants in the EDU group with no follow-up sPO4 measurements were excluded; missing sPO4 measurements at 12-and 24-weeks were imputed by carrying forward the most recent sPO4 values.
Result(s): At the end of the intervention phase (12-weeks), there was a non-significant trend towards greater decreases in sPO4 in the MON (-0.5+/-1.6 mg/dL, p=0.32) and SCT (-0.3+/-2.1 mg/dL, p=0.56) groups compared to the EDU group (+0.2+/-1.4 mg/dL), but these differences had mostly disappeared by the end of the monitoring phase (24-weeks) (EDU +0.1+/-1.2 mg/dL, MON -0.1+/-1.9 mg/dL, SCT -0.1+/-2.1 mg/dL). Most participants agreed or strongly agreed that the iPads were convenient (64%), and SM helped them stay motivated (68%), take binders (61%), and limit phosphorus intake (68%). Relatively few participants reported that they agreed or strongly agreed that they sometimes "got lost" maneuvering the iPad programs (24%), felt that SM wasn't worthwhile (16%), or would have preferred face-to-face meetings offsite (4%).
Conclusion(s): Many HD patients are willing, able and report benefits of engaging in technology-supported behavioral interventions involving SM and SCT. Although these programs are easy to disseminate with limited resources once developed, any benefits for phosphorus management in HD patients may last only as long as the intervention is active

Background: CSF have lower HRQoL compared to US Standard Population. We have shown previously that HRQoL results need to be controlled for the last stone event and comorbidities. We now show the first longitudinal HRQoL domain profiles for baseline and two yearly follow-ups.
Method(s): CSF were enrolled from the RKSC registry. HRQoL was measured with the generic non-disease specific SF-36v2. Results were calculated as norm-based scores (NBS) based on US Standard Population (Domain score mean = 50). We selected 3 stone frequency groups (SFG): low (stone-free during observation period), medium (minimum of one stone event between 31-365 days) and high (stone event always present within 30 days of the survey), and compared the groups' HRQoL at baseline and second follow-up.
Result(s): We scored 386 surveys. 78 participants (32 males and 46 females) were compared at baseline and 2 follow-up assessments. Mean age was 45 years (male 44/ female 46). Repeated measure ANOVA showed no difference within each SFG over time (Fig 1). However, domain scores were significantly different between SFG's (p<0.05) at each time point, with low>medium>high stone frequency. Whether surgical intervention was required, and type, were not predictors of HRQoL outcomes. Better HRQoL tracked with lower cystine excretion per liter on 24h urine collections; lower cystine capacity and higher citrate doses were underpowered (NS).
Conclusion(s): CSF with high stone event rates experience worse HRQoL over time, while CSF with no stone events achieved better HRQoL than US standard. Clinnical data suggest that the high SFG is undertreated

Background: Kidney stones represent a disease of worldwide prevalence with significant public health implications. About 60-80% of stones are composed of calcium oxalate (CaOx); hyperoxaluria is a major risk factor for CaOx stones. Oxalate is an endproduct of mammalian digestion and as with urea, must be excreted. We obtain oxalate from diet, or from endogenous production. Certain intestinal bacteria have the ability to degrade oxalate, protecting against oxalate nephropathy, including nephrolithiasis. To understand the role of the gut microbiome in oxalate metabolism, we compared conventional mice with germ-free mice (that lack a microbiota). In addition to the stress of endogenous oxalate production, we challenged groups with dietary and metabolic (via hydroxyproline (Hyp) supplementation) oxalate loads.
Method(s): Conventional (CO) and germ-free (GF) mice were fed normal chow diets supplemented with either 1% Oxalate (Ox), 1% Hydroxyproline (Hyp) or were unsupplemented (NC) for 6 weeks (n=3-4/mice group). After 6 weeks, we obtained 48-hour urine collections for measurement of the oxalate/creatinine ratio (Uox/cr).
Result(s): In CO mice, Uox/cr increased with the Ox diet compared with NC (0.57 + 0.17 vs 0.16 + 0.05, p= 0.03 by Student's t test), but not with the Hyp diet (0.14 +0.03 vs 0.16 +0.05, p=ns). However, in germ-free mice, both dietary Hyp and Ox led to increased Uox/ cr compared to NC diet (0.50 +/- 0.04, 0.85 +/- 0.11, vs. 0.31+/- 0.06, p<0.05 by ANOVA, respectively). Uox/Cr was lower in CO mice than GF mice when receiving Hyp (p=0.01, by Student's t test), Ox (p=0.06), and NC diets (0.06).
Conclusion(s): In conclusion, oxalate excretion was higher in the germ-free than in the conventional mice under all three dietary conditions (Ox, Hyp, NC), providing direct evidence that the normal gut microbiome plays a protective (symbiotic) role in oxalate metabolism. With the metabolic stress of the Hyp diet, the CO mice but not the germfree mice could compensate. Since mice are not colonized with O. formigenes, this work indicates that other members of their microbiota have the functional capacity to alter oxalate metabolism

Background: Cystinuria is an inherited kidney stone disorder caused by mutations to the SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 genes. While most cases are due to biallelic mutations to either gene, monoallelic and digenic families have been described, with overall considerable disease variability. Nevertheless, clear genotype/phenotype correlations have not been described to date.
Method(s): A next generation sequencing (NGS) panel consisting of 90 known and candidate kidney stone genes was developed and validated. A total of 49 unrelated, genetically unscreened individuals with a clinical diagnosis of cystinuria were analyzed using this panel. Preliminary correlations with phenotype were made with the genic groups.
Result(s): The baseline mean (SD) characteristics of the cohort were: age at diagnosis = 19.6y (12.5), number of stones = 5.8 (6.6), cystine excretion = 939.9mg (323.6), eGFR = 82.1ml/min/1.73m² (24.5), with age at last follow up = 43.8y (14). A total of 34 patients (69.4%) had biallelic SLC3A1 and 11 (22.4%) biallelic SLC7A9 mutations. One SLC3A1 and two SLC7A9 cases had a single detected mutation, and one case had no mutations detected. Large rearrangements, detected by LOG2 ratio analysis of the sequence data and confirmed by Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA), accounted for 31.9% of all SLC3A1 mutations, mainly the common ex5-9 duplication. Other common mutations were the SLC3A1 missense change p.Met467Thr (21.7% alleles) and the nonsense mutation p.Arg270* (18.8%), while for SLC7A9 the missense mutation p.Gly105Arg accounted for 29.2% of pathogenic alleles. Ten novel mutations were identified for each gene. The only detected correlation with genotype was with baseline mean stone number, SLC3A1 = 7.1 (7.1), SLC7A9 = 2.0 (2.1; p=0.05) in this cohort.
Conclusion(s): This analysis shows the utility of a panel-based NGS approach in cystinuria populations and more broadly in patients with suspected monogenic stone disease. Other genetic and/or environmental factors likely also contribute to the observed phenotypic variability

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) may predispose patients to urinary stone disease (USD) via several proposed mechanisms including antibiotic exposure and intestinal malabsorption. Prevalence of USD in patients with CF was estimated at 2-6% in studies with mean age 16-27 years. These data are limited by small sample sizes and single-center settings. The CF Foundation Patient Registry (CFFPR) began collecting prevalence data on USD in 2006.
Method(s): We studied 29,396 patients in the CFFPR living in 2016 to calculate age-stratified prevalence of USD.USD was assessed by trained CF clinic staff at each encounter. For 15,531 patients age 18 or older we examined associations between age, BMI, demographics, CFTR mutation class, other clinical parameters, and prevalent USD using multivariate logistic regression.
Result(s): Overall prevalence of USD was 3.1% (95% CI 2.9-3.3%). Prevalence under age 18 years was 0.4% (0.3-0.5%), 18 to 24 years, 3.1% (2.7-3.6%), 25 to 34 years, 6.4% (5.8-7.1%), 35 to 44 years, 7.5% (6.5-8.5%), and 45 years and older, 6.7% (5.8-7.8%). Mean age of all patients was 21.3 years. We also calculated prevalence for age ranges 20-29, and 30-39 years to compare with published NHANES data for the general population. Stone prevalence was 4.8% and 7.1% in in CF patients within these two age cohorts, respectively, compared to 3.4 and 6.4% in NHANES. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios for stone prevalence were significant for female sex, OR 1.4 (95% CI 1.2-1.7), severe CFTR mutations, OR 1.8 (1.2-2.5), diabetes, OR 1.2 (1.0-1.5), hypertension, OR 1.4 (1.0-1.9), and chronic macrolide therapy, OR 1.3 (1.1-1.6). BMI was not associated with USD.
Conclusion(s): USD prevalence in CFFPR may be higher than in the general population and increased with age. Some risk factors for stone disease in the general population appear significant for adult patients with CF, including hypertension and diabetes. However, BMI did not show the same relationship. Several novel associations with USD in CF patients also were identified, including a greater prevalence in women. This study is limited by the method of USD assessment; it is possible patients with more severe CF had higher rates of reported asymptomatic stones incidentally diagnosed due to more frequent imaging. As life expectancy of people with CF increases, the prevalence of USD may also increase

Background: Multiple bacterial species are capable of degrading oxalate in vitro. Certain taxa degrade oxalate as their sole source of energy and carbon (e.g. Oxalobacter formigenes), whereas others use oxalate as an auxiliary carbon source. For oxalate metabolism, it is not yet well-understood how genomic potential relates to transcriptional regulation. We asked whether the human gut could have a community of oxalatedegrading taxa working synergistically to diminish the effects of this toxic metabolite. Our hypothesis is that oxalate metabolism is regulated by a multi-organism oxalatedegrading community (oxalobiome) that is dominated by specialist oxalate degraders.
Method(s): We used data from 2 public databases: (i)8 healthy subjects in the USA; and (ii)471 healthy subjects in the Netherlands as part of the Human Functional Genomic Project (HFGP). Both collected fecal samples for metagenomic and/or metatranscriptomic high throughput sequencing. Using HUMAnN2 with customized settings, we profiled the metabolic activity of oxalate-degrading bacterial species. Output from these analyses was expressed as Reads per Kilobase per Million mapped reads (RPKM).
Result(s): We identified the oxalate degradation pathway (ODP) in the metagenome and metatranscriptome of all 8 subjects. Mean ODP is 35.3+/-28.1 and 90.1+/-43.5 RPKM in the metagenome and the metatranscriptome, respectively, indicating active expression. O. formigenes, E. coli, and unclassified bacteria were present in metagenomic and metatranscriptomic reads. B. dentium had detectable ODP in its genome but was not transcribing it. In the HFGP database, we identified ODP in 328 subjects of the 471 tested (70%) (Mean=18.1+/-2.1 RPKM). ODP was detected in B. animalis, B. dentium, B. pseudocatenulatum, E.coli/Shigella, L. acidophilus, L. gasseri, L. mucosae, O. formigenes and unclassified bacteria. ODP was examined in the metagenome of 265 females (Mean ODP= 21.7+/-3.3) and 200 males (Mean ODP=13.3+/-1.9 RPKM; p=0.04 by unpaired t test).
Conclusion(s): We have identified a community of bacteria with the potential to degrade oxalate in healthy humans and species actively transcribing ODP. These include E.coli, which might be a common contributor of oxalate degradation in humans. The sex differences in ODP is consistent with the ~ 2:1 male/female incidence and prevalence of calcium oxalate stones