Genetics of Hyperuricemia Therapy in Hmong

Minnesota Hmong are a unique population of individuals of South East Asian descent who have been noted to have a higher prevalence of gout and gout related comorbidities compared to non-Hmong. Elevated levels of uric acid are thought to be at the root cause of gout. Elevated levels of serum uric acid can result from either overproduction and or under-excretion. Xanthine oxidase plays a key role in the breakdown of purines to form uric acid. Transporters in the kidney also play a key role in excretion and/or re-absorption of uric acid. The objective of this study is to explore whether genetic variations in renal transporters may influence the disposition of serum uric acid in response to a drug (allopurinol) as well as the disposition of its active metabolite (oxipurinol) which may also be a substrate for these same transporters responsible for uric acid disposition. Genetic variations unique to the Hmong population may explain their increased prevalence in gout and or perceived lack of responsiveness to the drug (allopurinol) used to treat the condition.