Depleted Antioxidant Vitamins and Enhanced Oxidative Stress in Urolithiasis

Background: Urolithiasis is the third most common urological disease with prevalence of 11% and recurrence rate of 50% and has a great impact on the economsically active population, representing significant health care cost burden. Crystal aggregation and retention are critical events for the formation of kidney stones. There is a close association between crystal development and free radical activity in vivo. Materials and Methods: In the present study 50 subjects presenting with urolithiasis were included. Serum levels of malondialdehyde, vitamin E and βcarotene were measured. These findings were compared with 50 age and sex matched control subjects. Unpaired‘t’ test was applied for statistical analysis. Results: There was a significant increase in MDA (p<0.001) and significant decrease in Vitamin E (p<0.01) and β-Carotene (p<0.001) levels in patients. There was significant negative correlation MDA and vitamin E and between MDA and β-carotene. Conclusion: It appears that a role of lipid peroxidation and oxidative function exists in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis.