# Obesity and Endogenous Oxalate Synthesis

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $166,752

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
This proposal will enable advancement of my research career under the guidance, experience, and tutelage of
successful and effective mentors. In addition, my research knowledge will be augmented by training in human
studies, animal work and the complex metabolic analytical skills. This proposal will give me the tools necessary
to become an independent investigator. Finally, the proposed study provides me the opportunity to continue
my current research endeavors, specifically looking at kidney stone disease, endogenous oxalate synthesis,
and the role of obesity.
The prevalence of kidney stone disease linearly increased in the U.S. over the last several decades, now
afflicting 10-15% of the population. The etiology of kidney stone disease is multifactorial involving lifestyle
factors, genetics, diet, and environment. Multiple medical comorbidities have been linked to kidney stone
disease including obesity. One component of the most common type of stone composition is oxalate, an end
product of metabolism. Small increases in urinary oxalate can increase calcium oxalate crystal formation and
thus stone disease. Multiple epidemiological studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between obesity
and urinary oxalate excretion. Yet, little is known about the underlying reason for this increase in urinary
oxalate.
Urinary oxalate levels are affected by both a dietary and endogenous component and each is felt to contribute
equally. Endogenous oxalate synthesis has been previously thought to occur primarily in the liver and its major
source is glyoxylate. The biochemical pathways involved in oxalate production are poorly understood despite
extensive research. The central hypothesis is that the increase in urinary oxalate seen in obesity is derived
from increased endogenous production. Further, it is proposed that obesity influences the metabolic processes
within the liver, resulting in increased oxalate synthesis. The hypotheses will be tested by pursuing two specific
aims: 1) Evaluating oxalate synthesis in a lean and a diet-induced obese animal model, 2) To demonstrate that
obese humans have increased endogenous oxalate synthesis on controlled diets. I will apply our laboratories
expertise in controlled dietary studies in both humans and mice, and utilize complex analytical technologies,
including mass spectrometry based assays.
The proposed study may provide new insights regarding the role of obesity and fat distribution on endogenous
oxalate production and thus calcium oxalate kidney stone disease. It will facilitate my transition into an
independent and productive NIH funded investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9987615
- **Project number:** 5K08DK115833-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Kyle D Wood
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $166,752
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9987615

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9987615, Obesity and Endogenous Oxalate Synthesis (5K08DK115833-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9987615. Licensed CC0.

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