Abstract
Chitosan is widely used in the biomedical field due its chemical and pharmacological properties. However, intake of chitosan results in renal tissue accumulation of chitosan and promotes an increase in calcium excretion. On the other hand, the effect of chitosan on the formation of calcium oxalate crystals (CaOx) has not been described. In this work, we evaluated the antioxidant capacity of chitosan and its interference in the formation of CaOx crystals in vitro. Here, the chitosan obtained commercially had its identity confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. In several tests, this chitosan showed low or no antioxidant activity. However, it also showed excellent copper-chelating activity. In vitro, chitosan acted as an inducer mainly of monohydrate CaOx crystal formation, which is more prevalent in patients with urolithiasis. We also observed that chitosan modifies the morphology and size of these crystals, as well as changes the surface charge of the crystals, making them even more positive, which can facilitate the interaction of these crystals with renal cells. Chitosan greatly influences the formation of crystals in vitro, and in vivo analyses should be conducted to assess the risk of using chitosan.
Highlights
Chitin and its derivative, chitosan, are biopolymers obtained from a large number of terrestrial and marine sources
Studies with mice that were induced to form kidney stones of calcium oxalate (CaOx) using different agents showed a decrease in plasma activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione S-transferase, as well as decreased plasma levels of free radical scavengers: vitamin E, vitamin C, protein thiol and reduced glutathione (GSH)
This study investigated whether chitosan is able to induce the formation of CaOx crystals in vitro and whether it has antioxidant activity
Summary
Chitosan, are biopolymers obtained from a large number of terrestrial and marine sources. No studies have reported the toxicity of chitosan in renal tissue nor is there evidence that this caused the calcium oxalate crystal formation and consequent urolithiasis. Urolithiasis is the formation of kidney stones, which can lead to tissue damage This condition is a common cause of hospitalization. Studies with mice that were induced to form kidney stones of calcium oxalate (CaOx) using different agents showed a decrease in plasma activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione S-transferase, as well as decreased plasma levels of free radical scavengers: vitamin E, vitamin C, protein thiol and reduced glutathione (GSH). It was demonstrated that the presence of chitosan in the body increases the amount of calcium excreted in urine [13], which is a primary factor in the formation of kidney stones. This study investigated whether chitosan is able to induce the formation of CaOx crystals in vitro and whether it has antioxidant activity
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