Posted on 10/18/2024 5:19:44 AM PDT by Red Badger
A major study led by University of Otago researchers has found that genetics play a significant role in gout, challenging the myth that lifestyle is the primary cause. The findings highlight the genetic basis of gout and may lead to better treatments, with the potential repurposing of existing immune-related drugs.
New research has found that genetics, not lifestyle, is the primary cause of gout. The study identified key genes and immune pathways, opening the door to improved treatments and challenging the stigma that links gout to poor lifestyle choices.
A major international study has revealed that gout is primarily a chronic illness driven by genetic factors, rather than the result of lifestyle choices made by those affected.
Conducted by researchers from the University of Otago, the genome-wide association study, published in Nature Genetics, examined the genetic data of 2.6 million individuals.
Researchers analyzed amalgamated DNA data sets from around the world. About three-quarters of the data was from customers of 23andMe, Inc, a direct-to-consumer genetics and preventative health company, who consented to participate in research.
They found that inherited genetics is an important part of why some people get gout and most others don’t.
Reducing the Stigma Around Gout
Senior author Professor Tony Merriman, of Otago’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, hopes the findings will remove some of the stigma around gout.
“Gout is a chronic disease with a genetic basis and is not the fault of the sufferer – the myth that gout is caused by lifestyle or diet needs to be busted. This widespread myth causes shame in people with gout, making some people more likely to suffer in silence and not go and see the doctor to get a preventive drug that lowers urate in the blood and will prevent their pain.”
He continues, “People need to understand that while specific dietary factors, such as eating red meat, can trigger gout attacks, the fundamental cause is high urate levels, crystals in the joints, and an immune system primed to ‘attack’ the crystals – genetics plays an important role in all of these processes.”
The research identified a large number of immune genes and immune pathways that provide new targets and approaches for preventing gout attacks.
Genetics and Gout Mechanisms
Professor Merriman hopes these findings will lead to improved treatment for gout sufferers.
“We hope that, in time, better and more accessible treatments will become available with the new targets we identified,” he says.
One such option could be the repurposing of a drug used to treat a range of other immune-related diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis – tocilizumab targets a receptor for an immune signaller, interleukin-6, which the research identified as a new gene for gout.
“Gout deserves more health spend resources and greater prioritization in the health system.”
Reference:
“A genome-wide association analysis reveals new pathogenic pathways in gout” by :
Tanya J. Major, Riku Takei, Hirotaka Matsuo, Megan P. Leask, Nicholas A. Sumpter, Ruth K. Topless, Yuya Shirai, Wei Wang, Murray J. Cadzow, Amanda J. Phipps-Green, Zhiqiang Li, Aichang Ji, Marilyn E. Merriman, Emily Morice, Eric E. Kelley, Wen-Hua Wei, Sally P. A. McCormick, Matthew J. Bixley, Richard J. Reynolds, Kenneth G. Saag, Tayaza Fadason, Evgenia Golovina, Justin M. O’Sullivan, Lisa K. Stamp, Nicola Dalbeth, Abhishek Abhishek, Michael Doherty, Edward Roddy, Lennart T. H. Jacobsson, Meliha C. Kapetanovic, Olle Melander, Mariano Andrés, Fernando Pérez-Ruiz, Rosa J. Torres, Timothy Radstake, Timothy L. Jansen, Matthijs Janssen, Leo A. B. Joosten, Ruiqi Liu, Orsolya I. Gaal, Tania O. Crişan, Simona Rednic, Fina Kurreeman, Tom W. J. Huizinga, René Toes, Frédéric Lioté, Pascal Richette, Thomas Bardin, Hang Korng Ea, Tristan Pascart, Geraldine M. McCarthy, Laura Helbert, Blanka Stibůrková, Anne-K. Tausche, Till Uhlig, Véronique Vitart, Thibaud S. Boutin, Caroline Hayward, Philip L. Riches, Stuart H. Ralston, Archie Campbell, Thomas M. MacDonald, FAST Study Group, Akiyoshi Nakayama, Tappei Takada, Masahiro Nakatochi, Seiko Shimizu, Yusuke Kawamura, Yu Toyoda, Hirofumi Nakaoka, Ken Yamamoto, Keitaro Matsuo, Nariyoshi Shinomiya, Kimiyoshi Ichida, Japan Gout Genomics Consortium, Chaeyoung Lee, Asia Pacific Gout Consortium, Linda A. Bradbury, Matthew A. Brown, Philip C. Robinson, Russell R. C. Buchanan, Catherine L. Hill, Susan Lester, Malcolm D. Smith, Maureen Rischmueller, Hyon K. Choi, Eli A. Stahl, Jeff N. Miner, Daniel H. Solomon, Jing Cui, Kathleen M. Giacomini, Deanna J. Brackman, Eric M. Jorgenson, GlobalGout Genetics Consortium, Hongbo Liu, Katalin Susztak, 23andMe Research Team, Suyash Shringarpure, Alexander So, Yukinori Okada, Changgui Li, Yongyong Shi and Tony R. Merriman, 15 October 2024, Nature Genetics.
DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01921-5
Interesting. Worth trying drugs that are already out there for other illnesses...they might need tweaking...but worth a try.
As for genetics, with my disastrous lifestyle regarding health at least, doctors are shocked when they can’t find swollen ankles, heart issues, kidney issues, bad fats levels.
I KNOW that at 56, my luck will run out sooner than later and I am working on it.
But guys I know around my age that lead the same kind of lifestyle are Disasters...heart attacks, edema, kidney disease.
Genes make a tremendous difference for each individual.
OR the 23 years of healthy living and playing lots of sports carried over for some decades...but not for much longer.
Have a good one
I’ve had about 6 or so gout flares over the last 10 years. A couple weren’t too bad. A couple were middling and then a couple were practically crippling and extremely painful for 5-6 days. I’ve tried cutting way back on various things....shellfish, red meat, especially processed meats like bacon, sausages, etc. What I really cut back on after the last time is all alcohol but most especially beer. I’ve had about 4-5 drinks in the last 8 months. So far so good, but I hate it because I really do enjoy an occasional beer or two.
Try cutting out wheat products, bread, cakes, cookies, anything with flour, even as a small amount................
I could not believe how painful Gout is, really bad.
I thought I remember reading other papers decades ago about “close families” and gout. Not just a rich lifestyle...
Need to check the instances of gout in West Virginia..................
Interesting.
If genetic, then why does it come later in life, like all other degenerative diseases?
If genetic, then why does it go away when filtration issues (kidney health) are resolved?
The products sold by Standard Process (Rena Food and Renatrophin) virtually eliminate gout, as does juicing. That doesn’t sound like a genetic issue.
Tart cherry juice and magnesium supplement lessen the severity and length of my flare ups. Bookmarking.
” “People need to understand that while specific dietary factors, such as eating red meat, can trigger gout attacks”
HALF right. Specific dietary factors, FOR YOU!
Both what specific dietary factors brings on an attack or helps soothe an attack is DIFFERENT for each individual.
Blaming “red meat” is a red herring! (pi)
I have had SEVERE gout attacks, many. Unable to walk without crutches, unable to lay down or sleep.
What does work is Indomethacin. Some relief in a few hours, total relief in a few days. It was a MIRACLE drug for me.
Then, take Allopurinol every day. Gout will mostly be in your past, without giving up red meat or drinking cherry juice.
Colchicine never worked for me, besides “Colchicine can cause serious side effects or death if levels of colchicine are too high in your body.”
I get an attack maybe once a year, I keep Indomethacin handy, just in case.
Is Indomethacin OTC or you need a prescription?
Sounds like something I’d like to include in my bug out bag.
Being a little dehydrated, like in mid summer or deep winter when i don’t feel the need to constantly hydrate, seems to bring on attacks quite easily.
Nevermind. Just answered my own question. Prescription required. Bad side effects if alcohol use. Still will ask the doctor for script. Thanks.
Maybe genetics plays a part, but neither of my parents had it. I, on the other hand, had a severe case starting the day after eating 8 pieces of Mackerel nigiri. This was over 10 years ago. I cut down on purines in my diet and the problem has never returned.
Forgot to mention that I’ve been on Allopurinol ever since then too.
Among numerous other health improvements, I stopped getting gout flare ups when I adopted a ketogenic diet. Our bodies are not meant to be run on carbs.
Stop eating grains.
We are not cows..................
Hmmmm, maybe I should cut down on sushi..................
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