Renal urolithiasis is a pathological condition common to a multitude of genetic, physiological and nutritional disorders, ranging from general hyperoxaluria to obesity. The concept of quickly dissolving renal uroliths via chemolysis, especially calcium-oxalate kidney stones, has long been a clinical goal, but yet to be achieved.
Over the past 25 years, there has been a serious effort to examine the prospects of using plant and microbial oxalate-degrading enzymes known to catabolize oxalic acid and oxalate salts. While evidence is emerging that bacterial probiotics can reduce recurrent calcium-oxalate kidney stone disease by lowering systemic hyperoxaluria, the possible use of free oxalate-degrading enzyme therapy remains a challenge with several hurdles to overcome before reaching clinical practice.
Urolithiasis. 2015 Dec 08 [Epub ahead of print]
Ammon B Peck, Benjamin K Canales, Cuong Q Nguyen
Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, P. O Box 100125, VAB, Bldg 1017, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA. Department of Urology, University of Florida College of Medicine, P. O. Box 100247, 1600 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA. , Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, P. O Box 100125, VAB, Bldg 1017, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.