This study will test whether oxalate stimulates urinary crystals and impacts the immune system in healthy subjects using two controlled diets (low and high oxalate).
Oxalate is a small molecule found in plants and plant-derived food. It has been shown that meals containing high amounts of oxalate can increase urinary oxalate excretion, which is a risk factor for calcium oxalate kidney stones (CaOx KS). Small increases in oxalate can stimulate urinary crystals to form which can elicit an immune response. This study consists of having healthy subjects consume both low and oxalate enriched diets to evaluate the effect of oxalate on urinary crystals and immune responses. Participants will receive a low or high oxalate diet for 4 days prior to having a wash out period for 6 days. Participants will then crossover to the opposite oxalate diet for four more days.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
20
Participants will consume a diet that is controlled in its daily contents of oxalate and calcium, and in its content of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Participants will be asked not to take any dietary supplements, to exercise strenuously, or to consume food or drink that is not provided to them
Participants will consume a diet that is controlled in its daily contents of oxalate and calcium, and in its content of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Participants will be asked not to take any dietary supplements, to exercise strenuously, or to consume food or drink that is not provided to them.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Change in Urinary Oxalate
Twenty-four hour urinary oxalate will be reported as mg/day.
Time frame: Days 3-4 and 13-14
Change in Crystalluria
Crystalluria will be reported as particles/ml.
Time frame: Days 3-4 and 13-14
Change in Monocyte Cellular Energetics and Mitochondrial Function
Cellular energetics and mitochondrial function will be reported as oxygen consumption rate (pmol/min/10,000 cells).
Time frame: Days 1, 4, 11, and 14
Change in Monocyte Subtypes
Monocyte subtypes will be determined using flow cytometry (mean fluorescence intensity).
Time frame: Days 1, 4, 11, and 14
Change in Monocyte Transcriptomics
Monocyte cellular transcriptomics will be determined using RNA sequencing (mRNA).
Time frame: Days 1, 4, 11, and 14
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.