# INvestigations In Gout, Hyperuricemia, and comorbidiTies (INSIGHT) Center of Research Translation (CORT)

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2021 · $1,280,846

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Gout impacts around 4% of the U.S. adult population and is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in
men. The incidence of gout is increasing worldwide and may be as high as 9% in the elderly. Gout is a
significant burden on the healthcare system, and is associated with both decreased work productivity and
quality of life. With the ever-increasing impact of gout and its associated comorbidities on the population,
investigation of novel translational mechanisms mediating gout flares as well as approaches to improving gout
and hyperuricemia outcomes comprise an unmet and urgent medical need. Our multi-disciplinary
INvestigationS In Gout, Hyperuricemia, and comorbidiTies (INSIGHT) Center of Research Translation
(CORT) includes 4 research projects and an Administrative Core focused on the theme, “Gout,
Hyperuricemia, and Associated Comorbidities”. CORT projects will include studies to: determine if
innovative peripheral blood leukocyte adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity
metabolomics have promise as gout flare biomarkers independent of serum urate (Project 1), examine the
influence of key gene-environment interactions within an internet case-crossover study of gout flares (Project
2), unravel the functional genomics of urate transporters genes identified in previously reported genome wide
association studies (Project 3), and investigate the mechanism of urate lowering therapy on renal function
within the soon to begin comparative study of gout therapies (VA STOP-GOUT) (Project 4). Projects range
from basic research translation of underlying genetics and relevant inflammatory pathobiology of gout, to
understanding mechanisms of CKD progression in gout, and translation of genetic interaction with
environmental factors and medications to precision medicine. Our INSIGHT CORT aims to:
(1) Conduct four outstanding, innovative, and synergistic translational research projects drawing on the unique
strengths of multidisciplinary research teams at our three major centers: University of Alabama at Birmingham,
Harvard University, and University of California San Diego. (2) Foster the development of pilot and feasibility
projects and the development and application of new translational methods to research in gout and
hyperuricemia and their associated major comorbidities, particularly chronic kidney disease and metabolic
syndrome. (3) Promote training of translational investigators in current methods of research applicable to gout
and hyperuricemia through enrichment activities overseen by our Administrative Core.
 
The INSIGHT CORT reflects a focused, relevant, multi-disciplinary translational research program at UAB and
partner institutions. The INSIGHT CORT has assembled an outstanding scientific team and is uniquely
prepared and strongly committed to scientific rigor, innovation, and development of new knowledge and
translational techniques clinically relevant to the mission NIAMS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10263201
- **Project number:** 5P50AR060772-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Kenneth G Saag
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,280,846
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-20 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10263201

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10263201, INvestigations In Gout, Hyperuricemia, and comorbidiTies (INSIGHT) Center of Research Translation (CORT) (5P50AR060772-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10263201. Licensed CC0.

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