 As part of the same protocol the investigators will be able to assess the effect of febuxostat on proximal and distal sodium clearance by using uric acid clearance as a surrogate for proximal tubular sodium absorption. Uric acid reabsorption is indirectly coupled to sodium reabsorption: anions enter proximal tubular cells via a sodium-coupled electroneutral system and anions are then exchanged for urate.20 Renal uric acid clearance is directly and closely correlated with renal lithium clearance, a well-validated measure of proximal tubular sodium reabsorption, and both clearances have been used to estimate proximal tubular sodium handling in large, population-based studies,21, 22 as well as to measure acute responses to, for example, insulin infusion,23 beta-blocker treatment,24 and volume expansion.20, 25 Other studies have found decreased proximal tubular uric acid or lithium clearance associated with a positive family history of hypertension26 and with an adducin gene variant associated with hypertension.27 In summary, the investigators will examine the effects of lowering uric acid with febuxostat on both intrarenal RAS activity as measured by renovascular response to Ang II infusion, and on proximal tubular sodium absorption as measured by uric acid clearance. Potential effects on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and blood pressure will also be tested. 