HealthCare News
Gene Mutation in Dalmatians Sheds Light on Kidney Stones in HumansFRIDAY, Nov. 7 (HealthDay News) -- A gene mutation that causes the high levels of uric acid that lead to bladder stones in Dalmatians has been identified by U.S. researchers, who said the finding may provide clues about kidney stones in humans. Among mammals, only humans, great apes and Dalmatians produce elevated levels of uric acid in their urine and blood. Other dog breeds don't usually produce uric acid. The team in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, analyzed DNA and urine samples from hundreds of dogs and found that mutations in the SLC2A9 gene caused elevated uric acid in Dalmatians. The study was published in the Nov. 7 issue of PLoS Genetics. In Dalmatians, high uric acid levels result in the formation of bladder stones that often have to be removed surgically. In humans, high levels of uric acid can cause kidney stones, hypertension and gout -- a painful inflammation of the joints. Read entire article... | 
