Groundbreaking Study Shatters Gout Myths: Genetics, Not Lifestyle, To Blame

Scitech Daily ^ | October 18, 2024 | University of Otago

[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

[Raven6]

Uric acid crystals that form in the joints are the cause of the pain of gout. Uric acid crystals are also (for most sufferers of kidney stones) what form in the kidneys are and are then renamed “kidney stones.”

I used to average at least one kidney stone about every 1.5 months. The size of the stones averaged 4mm-6mm. When traveling from the kidney to the bladder, they felt like they were 3 times that size. The pain was excruciating.

The last one I had was a 6mm jagged stone that put me in the hospital. While I was there, a friend advised me to try “Chanca Piedra.” It is an OTC herbal blend that dissolves uric acid crystals. I am now 1 year down the road from my last kidney stone. Not even a tiny one... It has been a Godsend.

I take one capsule a day. Cost runs about $18/200 capsules on Amazon.

I shared my experience with Chanca Piedra with my gout suffering friends. They tried it and it has worked for them as well. As cheap as it is, it’s worth a shot.

[Red Badger]

[Kudsman]

It has been found that chanca piedra may help balance out uric acid and prevent gout attacks. Animal studies show that chanca piedra supplements may decrease uric acid levels in humans.

Interesting. Worth a try.

[103198]

I regularly consume a lot of water every day (100+ fluid ounces). I still have flair ups if I don't take the Allipurnol. I've tried a lot of things, but haven't found a solution without it. But the affliction didn't start until I was in my 40’s.

[Kudsman]

I do not take any daily prescriptions and am trying to avoid starting with Allipurnol. Have also had flair ups since mid 40’s. Seem to be increasing in frequency though as I near 60. I think I am going to try the extract mentioned above. Can’t hurt from what I’ve been reading about it.

[goodnesswins]

One of our contractors figured out if he did not drink beer, he did not have gout. He can have an occasional beer, only.

[103198]

I turned 70 earlier this year. I don't like taking any drugs, but have found Allipurnol the only solution for me. It would probably help if I dropped all alcohol too, but being partially Scot-Irish and too focused, that would be hard. My is rather healthy.

Only the best of health to you. I hope the extract method works for you. If it does, please let me know your thoughts in the future.

[Kudsman]

Absolutely. Bookmarked this thread to return to it at a later date.

[Kudsman]

Also, I do not do beer so that does not factor in for me. Cab Sauv or a jigger of spirits once in a while. Lol

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

I lost weight regularly eating sardines on cottage cheese but yes, I also ended up with gout. Did not drink much, but now, almost no beer. I have a number of potted fig trees, but they have purines, so goodbye to those as well! You do what you have to.

That said, I had no problem giving up the sardines and live a thousand miles from the nearest coast so have no problem giving up fish. Beef on the other hand...