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Changes in renal hemodynamics and urodynamics in rats with chronic hyperoxaluria and after acute oxalate infusion: role of free radicals.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate possible changes in renal hemodynamic and urodynamic parameters in rats with chronic hyperoxaluria and after acute oxalate challenge. We also evaluated the possible association between free radical (FR) production, hyperoxaluria, and calcium oxalate (CaOx) calculi formation. METHODS: Chronic hyperoxaluria was induced by adding 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) to the drinking water of male Wistar rats. After 7, 21, and 42 days of treatment, urinary biochemistry, oxalate levels, and lipid peroxides were measured. Kidney calculi were examined by polarizing microscopy. In the second part of the experiments, 1, 10, 20, and 30 mg kg(-1) hr(-1) oxalate was infused, by means of an intrarenal arterial catheter (IRA), into normal rats sequentially. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) infusion by means of IRA, in addition to oxalate, was also performed to check its influence on the altered renal function after oxalate infusion. In both the acute and chronic groups, renal blood flow (RBF), cortical microvascular blood flow (CMVBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine flow (UV), and urinary sodium excretion (U(Na)V) were measured, and chemiluminescence (CL) was examined in the renal venous blood. RESULTS: Levels of urinary lipid peroxides and enzymuria had increased since day 7, and increased the size of numbers of CaOx crystals in the kidney were noted beginning on day 21, but elevated CL was detectable only on day 7 after 0.75% EG treatment. Decreased UV and U(Na)V were noted in the 42-day EG group, although the 24-hr creatinine clearance values were normal in all experimental groups. On the other hand, RBF, GFR, and CMVBF were attenuated with elevated FR when the oxalate concentration was higher than 10 mg kg(-1) hr(-1) in the acute oxalate infusion group. With SOD pretreatment, the decreased RBF, GFR, and CMVBF could be reversed at 10 mg kg(-1) hr(-1) of oxalate, and be partially reversed at 20. FR also could be reduced significantly at 10 and 20 mg kg(-1) hr(-1) of oxalate. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased urine flow and sodium excretion were the main renal functions affected by chronic hyperoxaluria. However, that only the 42-day EG group had a decreased tubular function cannot be fully explained by the persistent tubular enzymuria and increased lipid peroxides that began on day 7 after EG treatment. With acute oxalate infusion, the major insult to renal function was renal hemodynamics. Pretreated SOD could reverse the attenuated hemodynamics and reduce the elevated FR partly, which suggested that FR is responsible for oxalate toxicity.

Acute Disease↗

Calcium oxalate saturation in dialysis patients with and without primary hyperoxaluria.

Calcium oxalate supersaturation of the blood is associated with deposition of crystals in various tissues. We measured the serum levels of oxalate, citrate, calcium, and magnesium to estimate their saturation in 112 hemodialysis patients without primary hyperoxaluria and two boys with primary hyperoxaluria. Serum levels of oxalate and citrate were determined by high-performance capillary electrophoresis, while calcium and magnesium were measured by ICP spectroscopy. The serum levels of oxalate, citrate, calcium, and magnesium were 44.9+/-16.5, 138.1+/-54.9 micromol/l, 2.30+/-0.28, and 1.07+/-0.18 mmol/l, respectively, while the levels in patients with primary hyperoxaluria were 83.9+/-34.3, 197.9+/-63.5 micromol/l, 2.53+/-0.15, and 1.14+/-0.34 mmol/l, respectively. Serum calcium oxalate saturation (SS), as calculated by the Equil program, was significantly correlated with the serum oxalate level. Most patients showed metastable supersaturation (1<SS<8.9), which was associated with a serum oxalate level of more than 30 micromol/l. Serum saturation exceeded the formation product (SS=8.9) in some specimens from patients with type 1 primary hyperoxaluria. The serum calcium oxalate saturation [SS(CaOx)] showed a significant positive correlation with the levels of oxalate [Ox], calcium [Ca], and citrate [Cit]: [SS(CaOx)]=-0.3562+34.634[Ox]+0.394[Ca]-0.483[Mg]+0.101[Cit], (all mmol/l, r=0.9848, P<0.01). This formula is useful for estimating the saturation. In conclusion, the serum oxalate level is a good indicator of calcium oxalate saturation and should be monitored accurately while keeping it lower in dialysis patients.

Aged↗

Hyperoxaluria in kidney stone formers treated with modern bariatric surgery.

PURPOSE: Nephrolithiasis and renal failure secondary to severe hyperoxaluria were complications of jejunoileal bypass for obesity, leading to the discontinuation of this procedure in the United States in 1980. Bariatric procedures currently in use have not been adequately evaluated for this complication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared 24-hour urine chemistry studies of 132 patients with nephrolithiasis who had undergone bariatric surgery with the urine chemistry studies of patients who had undergone jejunoileal bypass, those with routine kidney stones and normal subjects. The primary aim was to determine if hyperoxaluria developed in patients who underwent bariatric surgery and had kidney stones as had been seen with jejunoileal bypass. RESULTS: Patients who have undergone modern bariatric surgery had an adjusted mean urine oxalate excretion of 83 mg per day compared to 39 mg per day for routine kidney stone formers and 34 mg per day for normal subjects (p <0.001 for both comparisons), but not quite as high as that found in patients treated with jejunoileal bypass (102 mg per day, p <0.001). Urine supersaturation of calcium oxalate, the main driving force for calcium oxalate stone formation, was higher in patients treated with bariatric surgery compared to routine kidney stone formers and normal subjects (p <0.001 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperoxaluria is the most significant abnormality of urine chemistry studies in patients with kidney stones who have undergone bariatric surgery. Many of these patients have a degree of hyperoxaluria that could lead to kidney failure. Further studies are required to determine the prevalence of this problem in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.

Bariatric Surgery↗

Effects of angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor blockade by losartan on tubulointerstitial lesions caused by hyperoxaluria.

PURPOSE: Hyperoxaluria is a recognized cause of tubulointerstitial lesions and this circumstance could contribute to cause chronic renal disease. The renin-angiotensin system has a critical role in the development of interstitial fibrosis, mostly by angiotensin II type 1 receptor stimulation of pro-fibrotic mechanisms. We evaluated whether angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade prevents oxalate renal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We divided 2-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats into 4 groups, namely group 1-control, group 2-hyperoxaluria, group 3-hyperoxaluria plus losartan and group 4-losartan. For 4 weeks groups 2 and 3 received 1% ethylene glycol (precursor for oxalates) in drinking water. Losartan (40 mg./kg. body weight) was administered in groups 3 and 4 daily. At the end of the study renal lesions were evaluated using anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin, anti-collagen type III, anti-monocytes/macrophages and anti-transforming growth factor-beta1 antibodies. To evaluate oxidative stress in renal tissue total glutathione and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in kidney homogenates were determined. Regarding renal functional parameters, creatinine clearance and urinary albumin excretion were also studied. RESULTS: Despite similar urinary oxalate levels compared with group 2 group 3 rats showed fewer tubulointerstitial lesions, consisting of significant lower scores for tubular atrophy, unspecific inflammatory cell infiltrate, ED1 mouse anti-rat monoclonal antibody (Serotec, Ltd., Oxford, United Kingdom) (monocytes/macrophages), crystal deposits, interstitial fibrosis, alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen type III and tubulointerstitial transforming growth factor-beta1. Moreover, urinary albumin excretion and creatinine clearance were significantly improved in group 3 (p <0.01). Higher total glutathione and lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were also observed in this group (p <0.01). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were the most important and significant independent variable correlating with interstitial fibrosis (t ratio 4.867, p <0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the renal-angiotensin system interaction by losartan produces a beneficial effect against renal lesions caused by hyperoxaluria through a number of actions, including a reduction in crystal formation in the tubular fluid, inflammatory reaction control and interaction with oxidative stress. These factors lead concurrently to preserve tubular epithelial cell and renal interstitium integrity. In addition, these results suggest that the principal mechanism of action should be mediated by angiotensin II type 1 receptors.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗

Enteric hyperoxaluria associated with external biliary drainage.

Several chronic disorders of small bowel function have been associated with enteric hyperoxaluria. We report on a patient in whom enteric hyperoxaluria and recurrent calcium oxalate calculi developed during treatment with temporary external biliary drainage for sclerosing cholangitis. The hyperoxaluria subsequently resolved with reestablishment of intraluminal biliary flow at successful liver transplantation. We propose a mechanism for this previously unrecognized cause of hyperoxaluria.

Adult↗

Glycolate determination detects type I primary hyperoxaluria in dialysis patients.

The detection of type I primary hyperoxaluria is based on the finding of exceedingly high oxalate excretion which is associated with increased glycolate excretion. The differential diagnosis of this disease may become a difficult task once end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and anuria have supervened. The various procedures thus far proposed to obviate this circumstance are complex, inaccurate or not reproducible. In this paper we propose the accurate liquid chromatographic determination of glycolate in blood and dialysate as a means to detect type I primary hyperoxaluria in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (RDT). The method is based on the enzymatic conversion of glycolate to glyoxylate coupled with alpha-keto acid derivatization with phenylhydrazine. The resulting phenylhydrazone is then resolved by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). With this method, plasma glycolate in 12 healthy controls was 7.8 +/- 1.7 mumol/liter, almost twentyfold less than previously reported. Five dialysis patients with high serum oxalate, of whom four with primary hyperoxaluria and one with Crohn's disease and presumed enteric oxalate hyperabsorption, were checked by this method and compared to nine patients with oxalosis-unrelated ESRD. The patients with hyperoxalemia were also evaluated for their response to pyridoxine therapy. The measurement of glycolate in blood drawn prior to and at the end of the dialysis session as well as in the dialysate soundly discriminated the patients with type I hyperoxaluria from all the other dialysis patients. Glycolate measurement was shown to be much more powerful than oxalate in that patients with oxalosis-induced ESRD exhibited an almost two hundred and fiftyfold increase compared to the oxalosis-unrelated patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Modeling of hyperoxaluric calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis: experimental induction of hyperoxaluria by hydroxy-L-proline.

A number of animal models have been developed to investigate calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis. Ethylene glycol (EG)-induced hyperoxaluria in rats is most common, but is criticized because EG and some of its metabolites are nephrotoxic and EG causes metabolic acidosis. Both oxalate (Ox) and CaOx crystals are also injurious to renal epithelial cells. Thus, it is difficult to distinguish the effects of EG and its metabolites from those induced by Ox and CaOx crystals. This study was performed to investigate hydroxy-L-proline (HLP), a common ingredient of many diets, as a hyperoxaluria-inducing agent. In rats, HLP has been shown to induce CaOx nephrolithiasis in only hypercalciuric conditions. Five percent HLP mixed with chow was given to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 63 days, resulting in hyperoxaluria, CaOx crystalluria, and nephrolithiasis. Crystal deposits were surrounded by ED-1-positive inflammatory cells. Cell injury and death was followed by regeneration, as suggested by an increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells. Both osteopontin (OPN) and CD44 were upregulated. Staining for CD44 and OPN was intense in cells lining the tubules that contained crystals. Along with a rise in urinary Ox and lactate dehydrogenase, there were significant increases in 8-isoprostane and hydrogen peroxide excretion, indicating that the oxidative stress induced cell injury. Thus, HLP-induced hyperoxaluria alone can induce CaOx nephrolithiasis in rats.

Animals↗

Possible link between vitamin D and hyperoxaluria in patients with renal stone disease.

1. Vitamin D seems to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic hypercalciuria at least in part via intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium. Hyperabsorption of calcium, in turn, might enhance the intestinal uptake of free oxalate, thus leading to hyperoxaluria. To verify this hypothesis we studied 75 calcium-stone-formers subdivided as follows: group 1 (15 patients) with isolated hyperoxaluria; group 2 (25 patients) with hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria; group 3 (22 patients) with isolated hypercalciuria; group 4 (12 patients) with no metabolic abnormalities. 2. As expected, urinary calcium excretion differed in the various groups (P < 0.001), being highest in groups 2 and 3; urinary oxalate excretion, by definition highest in groups 1 and 2, was even more pronounced in group 2 than in group 1 (P < 0.05). Although in the normal range, the serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentration was higher (P < 0.001) in the two hypercalciuric groups (2 and 3), showing peak levels in group 2. 3. When the data from the 75 stone-formers were pooled, there was a positive correlation between the serum concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and urinary calcium excretion (P < 0.001) and urinary oxalate excretion (P < 0.003), the latter relationship also being present when only the two hypercalciuric groups (groups 2 and 3) were considered together (P < 0.05). 4. Our data seem to confirm a relevant role for the vitamin D system in the pathogenesis of calcium nephrolithiasis due to increased intestinal calcium absorption, but also because this in turn induces a greater intestinal absorption of oxalate, thus leading to the occurrence or exacerbation of hyperoxaluria.

Adult↗

Absorptive hyperoxaluria leads to an increased risk for urolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperoxaluria has been incriminated to account for the increased incidence of urolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Hyperoxaluria presumably is caused by fat malabsorption and the absence of such intestinal oxalate-degrading bacteria as Oxalobacter formigenes. To better elucidate its pathophysiological characteristics, we prospectively studied patients with CF by determining these parameters and performing renal ultrasonography twice yearly. METHODS: In addition to routine tests in urine (lithogenic and stone-inhibitory substances), the presence of O formigenes was tested in stool, plasma oxalate was measured, and a [13C2]oxalate absorption test was performed in 37 patients with CF aged 5 to 37 years (15 females, 22 males) who were constantly hyperoxaluric before the study. RESULTS: Hyperoxaluria (oxalate, 46 to 141 mg/1.73 m2/24 h [0.51 to 1.57 mmol/1.73 m2/24 h]; normal, < 45 mg/1.73 m2/24 h [< 0.5 mmol/1.73 m2/24 h]) was now found in 24 patients (64.8%). Plasma oxalate levels were elevated in 6 patients (7.92 to 19.5 micromol/L; normal, 6.3 +/- 1.1 micromol/L). Oxalobacter species were detected in only 1 patient. Intestinal oxalate absorption was elevated (11.4% to 28.5%; normal, < 10%) in 23 patients. Hypocitraturia was present in 17 patients (citrate, 0.35 to 2.8 g/1.73 m2/24 h [0.2 to 1.1 mmol/1.73 m2/24 h]; normal female, > 2.8 mg/1.73 m2/24 h [> 1.6 mmol/1.73 m2/24 h]; male, > 3.3 mg/1.73 m2/24 h [> 1.9 mmol/1.73 m2/24 h]). Urine calcium oxalate saturation was elevated in 17 patients (5.62 to 28.9 relative units; normal female, < 5.5 relative units; male, < 6.3 relative units). In 16% of patients, urolithiasis (n = 2) or nephrocalcinosis (n = 4) was diagnosed ultrasonographically. CONCLUSION: Absorptive hyperoxaluria and hypocitraturia are the main culprits for the increased incidence of urolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis in patients with CF. We advocate high fluid intake, low-oxalate/high-calcium diet, and alkali citrate medication, if necessary. Additional studies are necessary to determine the influence of Oxalobacter species or other oxalate-degrading bacteria on oxalate handling in patients with CF.

Adolescent↗

Hyperoxaluria and urolithiasis in young children: an atypical presentation.

Urolithiasis is uncommon in adolescence and rare in early childhood. In pediatric populations, congenital urinary tract anomalies associated with stasis and infection, idiopathic urolithiasis (adolescents), and nephrocalcinosis (premature infants) account for the majority of urolithiasis patients. Inborn errors of metabolism, such as the primary hyperoxalurias, are rare causes of urolithiasis in childhood. We report six children (mean age at symptom onset 1.3 years; range 0.32-4.1 years) with moderate hyperoxaluria (mean 1.10 +/- 0.58 mmoL/1.73m2 per day; range 0.69-2.19 mmoL/1.73m2 per day). Urolithiasis was present in four. Stones from two children were comprised of calcium oxalate dihydrate. Calcium oxalate crystalluria was seen in two of the patients. Findings included a mean urine calcium concentration of 6.61 +/- 2.28 mg/kg per day, urine citrate of 925.5 +/- 291.29 mg/g of creatinine per day, and mean renal clearance of 99.83 +/- 23.27 mL/min. All children were born full term, none was receiving diuretics, and none had recurrent urinary tract infections. Secondary causes of hyperoxaluria, including dietary oxalate excess, pyridoxine deficiency, and malabsorption, were excluded. Urine glycolate and glycerate were normal in all patients. In one hyperoxaluric member of each sibship, hepatic alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase and D-glycerate dehydrogenase/glyoxylate reductase activity were normal. The clinical and biochemical features of these children are unlike those in previously recognized hyperoxaluric states. Thus, our description of a separate hyperoxaluric entity, referred to as unclassified hyperoxaluria.

Calcium Oxalate↗

Primary hyperoxaluria type 2.

Most cases of primary hyperoxaluria are due to deficiency of hepatic peroxisomal alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase [i.e. primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), McKusick 259900] and several hundred examples have been described since the original report in 1925. By contrast, primary hyperoxaluria type 2 (PH2, McKusick 260000) is very rare indeed with only 22 patients recorded since the original description in 1968. PH2 is characterized by hyperoxaluria and L-glyceric aciduria and is caused by deficiency of D-glycerate dehydrogenase/glyoxylate reductase. In comparison with PH1 much less is known about PH2 and considerable uncertainties remain about its frequency, clinical course and optimum management.

Adult↗

Minipump induced hyperoxaluria and crystal deposition in rats: a model for calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

PURPOSE: Unraveling the mechanisms leading to clinically active calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone disease and the development of effective medical therapies to treat it have been hampered by the lack of appropriate animal models. To address this problem we developed a model of hyperoxaluria and calcium oxalate crystal deposition by implanting osmotic minipumps subcutaneously into male rats, that is minipump induced hyperoxaluria and crystal deposition in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Harlan-Sprague Dawley rats (225 to 290 gm) were implanted subcutaneously with 1-week 2 ml osmotic minipumps containing 1.5 M potassium oxalate (360 microM KOx/24 hours, [KOx-trt], 11) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS-trt, 9) on days 1 and 7. The 24-hour urine collections were performed on days 0, 4, 7, 11 and 14. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's HSD. Urinary crystals were analyzed by light microscopy. Kidneys were harvested on day 14 and processed for light and polarizing microscopy, and RNA analysis.RESULTS Mean overall creatinine excretion +/- SEM (PBS-trt 107 +/- 7 and KOx-trt 123 +/- 6 microM/24 hours, p >0.07) and day 14 serum creatinine (PBS-trt 83 +/- 4 and KOx-trt 83 +/- 5 microM, p >or=0.9) were similar in the 2 treatment groups. Overall urinary volume (PBS-trt 11.3 +/- 0.8 and KOx-trt 18.0 +/- 1.5 ml/24 hours, p <or=0.001) and oxalate (OX) excretion (PBS-trt 9.2 +/- 0.6 and KOx-trt 44 +/- 4.2 microM/24 hours, p <or=0.001) were higher in KOx-trt vs PBS-trt rats. In KOx-trt rats OX excretion on day 0 was significantly less than on any day after implantation (p <or=0.01). All KOx-trt rats excreted calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals by day 4 and had intrarenal deposits of birefringent crystals by day 14. Overall the morphology of kidneys of OX rats was normal, although localized regions of inflammation and tubular debris were occasionally observed. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression of 3 distress molecules tumor necrosis factor receptor, osteopontin and kidney injury molecule were up-regulated in KOx-trt kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: The model of minipump induced hyperoxaluria and crystal deposition in rats reliably induces hyperoxaluria, CaOx crystalluria and CaOx crystal deposition. These characteristics make it an appropriate model for investigations of the effects of OX on renal physiology as well as investigating the efficacy of new therapeutics.

Animals↗

Hyperoxaluria or hypercalciuria in nephrolithiasis: the importance of renal tubular functions.

The role of the kidney in states of hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria was investigated in seven patients with hyperoxaluria after jejunoileal bypass (JIB) and six patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC). Eight apparently healthy persons formed a control group. Besides hyperoxaluria, the patients with JIB displayed an elevated plasma concentration of oxalate and the oxalate clearance was increased and higher than creatinine clearance, indicating a net tubular secretion of oxalate. The JIB patients had lower 24-h urinary excretions of calcium, phosphate, magnesium and citrate and higher serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) than controls, indicating increased secretion of PTH to compensate for calcium malabsorption. IHC patients exhibited increased fasting urinary calcium even though their serum values were similar to those in the controls. These results indicate a reduced tubular calcium reabsorption, which was most pronounced in patients with highest PTH values. We conclude that hyperoxaluria in JIB patients is associated both with intestinal hyperabsorption and with enhanced tubular secretion of oxalate, and that in some patients with IHC hypercalciuria is due to reduced tubular reabsorption of calcium.

Adult↗

Effect of hyperoxaluria on the inhibitory activity of a 45-kD urinary protein.

Proteins are thought to play a major role in stone formation and structurally abnormal proteins have been reported to be present in the urine of stone formers. This study was aimed to determine whether hyperoxaluria modifies the kinetic properties of urinary inhibitory proteins. Hyperoxaluria was induced by feeding 1% ethylene glycol to rats. Oxalate, uric acid and calcium excretion were increased progressively during hyperoxaluria, while magnesium level was decreased. Urinary proteins were separated on a DEAE-cellulose column by eluting with stepwise increasing salt concentration in 0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.0). Each protein fraction was studied for its crystallization inhibitory potential by the spectrophotometric method. The protein eluted in 0.3 M NaCl containing buffer had the maximal nucleation as well as inhibitory activity. The protein had a molecular weight of 45 kD. In hyperoxaluria, the urinary excretion of this protein significantly increased. In the crystal growth assay, the control rat 45-kD protein inhibited nucleation by 75% and aggregation by 100%. In contrast, it is very interesting to note that the protein derived from 28th day hyperoxaluric urine, behaved as a promoter of nucleation (-113%, percentage inhibition) and weak inhibitor of aggregation (28%). A significantly high negative correlation (r = -0.97) between oxalate excretion and the inhibitory activity of the 45-kD protein was observed suggesting a modification of the protein by oxalate.

Animals↗

Implications of genotype and enzyme phenotype in pyridoxine response of patients with type I primary hyperoxaluria.

BACKGROUND: Marked hyperoxaluria due to liver-specific deficiency of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase activity (AGT) characterizes type I primary hyperoxaluria (PHI). Approximately half of PHI patients experience improvement in the degree of hyperoxaluria following pyridoxine (VB6) treatment. Recently, we showed an association between VB6 response and the commonest PHI mutation G170R, with patients possessing one or two copies showing 50% reduction or complete to near complete normalization of oxaluria, respectively. Two patients showed responses varying from this pattern. To further clarify the molecular basis of VB6 response in PHI, we performed additional genotyping. METHODS: 23 PHI patients diagnosed via hepatic enzyme analysis, hyperoxaluria and hyperglycolic aciduria or homozygosity for a known mutation, availability of pre- and post-VB6 24-hour urine oxalate and GFR >40 ml/min/1.73 m2 were included. Data was retrieved retrospectively, oxalate measured by oxalate oxidase, and genotyping performed by PCR-based methods. RESULTS: VB6 response was associated with the G170R and F152I mutations. Eight new sequence changes were detected. CONCLUSIONS: In PHI, two mutations resulting in AGT mistargeting are associated with VB6 response. Whether this favorable effect is specific to the peroxisomal-to-mitochondrial mistargeting caused by these changes or due to another mechanism remains to be determined.

Cohort Studies↗

Hyperoxaluria and systemic oxalosis: current therapy and future directions.

Excessive urinary oxalate excretion, termed hyperoxaluria, may arise from inherited or acquired diseases. The most severe forms are caused by increased endogenous production of oxalate related to one of several inborn errors of metabolism, termed primary hyperoxaluria. Recurrent kidney stones and progressive medullary nephrocalcinosis lead to the loss of kidney function, requiring dialysis or transplantation, accompanied by systemic oxalate deposition that is termed systemic oxalosis. For most primary hyperoxalurias, accurate diagnosis leads to the use of therapies that include pyridoxine supplementation, urinary crystallisation inhibitors, hydration with enteral fluids and, in the near future, probiotic supplementation or other innovative therapies. These therapies have varying degrees of success, and none represent a cure. Organ transplantation results in reduced patient and organ survival when compared with national statistics. Exciting new approaches under investigation include the restoration of defective enzymatic activity through the use of chemical chaperones and hepatocyte cell transplantation, or recombinant gene therapy for enzyme replacement. Such approaches give hope for a future therapeutic cure for primary hyperoxaluria that includes correction of the underlying genetic defect without exposure to the life-long dangers associated with organ transplantation.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Always look beyond the stones: hyperoxaluria overlooked.

We report a case which demonstrates the disastrous consequences of late diagnosis of hyperoxaluria in a 24-year-old woman with nephrocalcinosis, a staghorn calculus and recurrent urinary tract infections. Her initial management at another hospital included multiple percutaneous nephrostomies and lithropsies. Metabolic screening was not undertaken. Hyperoxaluria was finally diagnosed by elevated urine oxalate (1.235 mmol/24 h) and renal biopsy, by which time there was already significant reduction of renal function. A diagnosis of hyperoxaluria type I was confirmed by liver biopsy. Despite starting pyridoxine and crystallization inhibitors, her renal function deteriorated, requiring hemodialysis and she was referred for combined liver-renal transplantation. Clinical clues of primary hyperoxaluria type I are a positive family history or presentation with severe renal stones at an unusually early age. Irrespective of the above, all patients with first presentation of renal calculi should undergo metabolic screening, including urine oxalate.

Adult↗

[Massive hyperoxaluria].

Primary hyperoxaluria type I is a rare inborn error of metabolism caused by a deficiency of a liver-specific peroxisomal enzyme. It manifests by increased oxalate production that ultimately results in kidney failure, due to urolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis, and finally induces systemic oxalosis and risk of premature death. Primary hyperoxaluria type 2 is mainly responsible of urolithiasis. Enteric hyperoxaluria is a commonly seen adverse event of Crohn disease or after extensive intestinal resection. These affections represent the main etiologies of massive hyperoxaluria. If not recognized very soon and adequately treated, these conditions can progress rapidly to end stage renal failure.

Child↗