# The Influence of Obesity on Oxalate Metabolism and Handling in Calcium Oxalate Stone Formers

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $312,208

## Abstract

OVERALL SUMMARY
The prevalence of both obesity and kidney stone disease has been steadily increasing in the U.S. over the past
several decades. Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type, including within the obese cohort. There
is mounting evidence that obesity is associated with increased urinary oxalate excretion, an important risk factor
for calcium oxalate stone formation. To address this issue, we have established a research center that was given
the acronym COOKS (Center for research on Obesity and Oxalate Kidney Stones). This Center provides a
platform for novel scientific research and the infrastructure for education and dissemination of information. The
research project will focus on defining the reasons for the increased urinary oxalate excretion in obese calcium
oxalate stone formers. This will be accomplished by establishing a multi-institutional, synergistic, interdisciplinary
group, including scientists with unique backgrounds in kidney stone research, obesity, nutrition, and renal and
gastrointestinal physiology. The scientific research project will examine the influence of gastrointestinal and renal
oxalate handling, and endogenous oxalate synthesis on urinary oxalate excretion in normal BMI and obese adult
calcium oxalate kidney stone formers. Both established and novel techniques will be utilized. Established
techniques will include extended dietary studies where levels of oxalate, calcium and other nutrients are tightly
controlled. Novel techniques will involve metabolic labelling to follow oxalate handling and synthesis, and state
of the art imaging techniques. The administrative core will provide oversight of research and educational activities
of COOKS. It will also be responsible for financial management, maintenance of collaborations, and
communication with other pertinent NIDDK-sponsored centers and program officials. The education enrichment
program will continue to be broad based. The established website will be expanded and linked to both UAB and
the University of Texas Southwestern. This website will promote educational events and disseminate information
to the Urologic community, other pertinent investigators and the public. The data generated should increase our
understanding of the relationships between obesity and urinary oxalate, the factors involved, and serve as a
platform to develop novel therapies for calcium oxalate kidney stone prevention in obese individuals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10152097
- **Project number:** 2P20DK119788-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** DEAN GEORGE ASSIMOS
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $312,208
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2018-09-21 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10152097

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10152097, The Influence of Obesity on Oxalate Metabolism and Handling in Calcium Oxalate Stone Formers (2P20DK119788-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10152097. Licensed CC0.

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