Effect of vitamin A supplemented diet on calcium oxalate renal stone formation in rats

Abstract

Objectives To study the effect of a vitamin A supplemented diet on calcium-oxalate stone formation in rats and to test its expected action in the dissolution of renal calculi. Material and methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight rats each. The first group (group A) received a normal diet for six weeks. The second group (group B) was fed a lithogenic diet by the addition of ethylene glycol 0.5% to drinking water for three weeks then a normal diet for three weeks. The third group (group C) received the same lithogenic diet for three weeks then a vitamin A supplemented diet 20 times the normal amount (5.1 mg/100 g of diet) at the three last weeks. One day before the end of treatment, each animal was placed for 24 h in metabolic cage in order to collect urine samples and determine the urinary parameters. Results The glomerular filtration rate and the urinary excretion of citric acid which fell in group B have been restored in group C. Conclusions This study shows that a vitamin A supplemented diet at the rate of 20 times standard ration could improve the renal function by restoring the glomerular filtration rate and by increasing the urinary pH and excretion of citric acid.