Metabolic diagnosis and medical prevention of calcium nephrolithiasis and its systemic manifestations: a consensus statement

Background: Recently published guidelines on the medical management of renal stone disease did not address relevant topics in the field of idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis, which are important also for clinical research. Design: A steering committee identified 27 questions, which were proposed to a faculty of 44 experts in nephrolithiasis and allied fields. A systematic review of the literature was conducted and 5216 potentially relevant articles were selected; from these, 407 articles were deemed to provide useful scientific information. The Faculty, divided into working groups, analysed the relevant literature. Preliminary statements developed by each group were exhaustively discussed in plenary sessions and approved. Results: Statements were developed to inform clinicians on the identification of secondary forms of calcium nephrolithiasis and systemic complications; on the definition of idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis; on the use of urinary tests of crystallization and of surgical observations during stone treatment in the management of these patients; on the identification of patients warranting preventive measures; on the role of fluid and nutritional measures and of drugs to prevent recurrent episodes of stones; and finally, on the cooperation between the urologist and nephrologist in the renal stone patients. Conclusions: This document has addressed idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis from the perspective of a disease that can associate with systemic disorders, emphasizing the interplay needed between urologists and nephrologists. It is complementary to the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology guidelines. Future areas for research are identified

Influence of body temperature on indinavir crystallization under loop of Henle conditions

Objectives: Indinavir is a protease inhibitor used in the therapy of HIV-1+ patients. It causes indinavir stone formation. It has been shown to precipitate in the loop of Henle (LH) at plasma concentrations (conc[P]) of ∼8 mg/L. Those experiments were performed at room temperature. Given the influence of temperature on crystallization in general, and solubility of indinavir in particular, we repeated the experiments under physiological (body) temperature conditions. Methods: Test solutions contained indinavir concentrations of 100-750 mg/ L at ionic strengths varying from 0 to 800 mM simulating conditions in the proximal tubule and the LH. Solutions were titrated with base (NaOH) to find the pH value where nucleation is initiated. Experiments were conducted at room temperature (20°C) and repeated under constantly monitored (body) temperature (37°C). Results: Experiments at 20°C confirmed our previous results. At 37°C, the relationship between pH and indinavir concentration remained inversely proportional. Again, the LH was confirmed as the most likely localization of crystallization. However, at 37°C precipitation occurred at a lower urinary concentration (100 versus 125 mg/L) and within a lower pH range (6.67-7.26 versus 7.23-7.44). This lower urinary concentration corresponds to a lower conc[P] [critical value (CV)] of 6.41 mg/L, as compared with 8.01 mg/L at 20°C. Conclusions: The CV is even lower at 37°C than previously assumed. Plasma peak concentration above the CV of 6.4 mg/L will induce crystallization in the LH and should be avoided. Copyrigh