Treatment with Zinc could be New Therapeutic Option for Prevent Kidney
Calcium Oxalate Stones
Abstract
A high concentration of oxalate is associated with an increased risk of
kidney calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones. Because humans lack enzymes that
metabolize oxalate, the degradation of exogenous oxalate mainly depends
on oxalate-degrading enzymes from the intestinal microbiome.
Epidemiologic cohort studies have demonstrated that the imbalance of
intestinal oxalate-degrading bacteria caused by antibiotics is closely
linked to the occurrence and formation of CaOx implicated renal stones,
but the mechanism of action remains poorly characterized. Here, based on
clinical sample analysis, we report that the imbalance of Lactobacillus
and oxalate decarboxylase (OxDC) is involved in CaOx kidney stones.
Next, by analyzing the crystal structure of OxDC derived from L.
farciminis, we reveal the mechanism of oxalate metabolism. Finally,
through experiments in vivo and in vitro, we identify that Zn2+ can be
used as an external factor to improve the activity of OxDC and protect
Lactobacillus, confirming the preventive effect of Zn2+ on stones
aggravated by antibiotics. Collectively, our findings illustrate the
association of CaOx stones, Lactobacillus and OxDC, and provide some new
recommendations for the prevention of CaOx kidney stones.