Studies of the effects of various lithogenic and antilithogenic dietry supplements on calcium oxalate kidney stone risk factors in South African black and white subjects

Bungane, Ntombovuyo

Studies of the effects of various lithogenic and antilithogenic dietry supplements on calcium oxalate kidney stone risk factors in South African black and white subjects

Doctoral Thesis

2008

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Chemistry

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

In South Africa, the incidence of urolithiasis in the white population occurs to the same extent as in other western societies. However, in the black population, this disease is extremely rare. Differences in the gastrointestinal and renal handling of several lithogenic and antilithogenic agents in the two ethnic groups have been reported, but the rarity of kidney stone disease in the black group remains a riddle. The studies described in this thesis were undertaken to address aspects of this phenomenon. Carbohydrate and oxalate-containing dietary agents were identified as being of interest since surveys have paradoxically demonstrated that the consumption of these potentially lithogenic substances is significantly higher in the black group. The carbohydrates selected for study were glucose, sorbitol and xylitol, while the oxalatecontaining agents were rhubarb, spinach and an aqueous solution of sodium oxalate itself. Finally, taurine, which has been shown to reduce urinary glycolate and oxalate in animal models, was also selected for investigation in the two population groups. In all studies, similar protocols were adopted. These were approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of the University of Cape Town.

Description

Includes bibliographical references.

Keywords

Chemistry

Reference:

Collections

PhD / Doctoral

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