Abstract
Calcium oxalate kidney stones are a common condition affecting many people in the United States. The concentration of oxalate in urine is a major risk factor for stone formation. There is evidence that glyoxal metabolism may be an important contributor to urinary oxalate excretion. Endogenous sources of glyoxal include the catabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Here, we review all the known sources of glyoxal as well as its relationship to oxalate synthesis and crystal formation.
Highlights
Endogenous oxalate synthesis makes an important contribution to the amount of oxalate excreted in urine and the development of calcium oxalate kidney stones, a painful condition that afflicts 10% of the adult Caucasian male population in the United States
Mounting evidence is suggesting that both glyoxal production and oxalate synthesis can be associated with oxidative stress
We have presented evidence that glyoxal is an important substrate for endogenous oxalate synthesis and as a result may be a critical factor in calcium oxalate urolithiasis
Summary
Endogenous oxalate synthesis makes an important contribution to the amount of oxalate excreted in urine and the development of calcium oxalate kidney stones, a painful condition that afflicts 10% of the adult Caucasian male population in the United States. It is clear that glyoxylate is the major precursor of oxalate [1]. Our research to date indicates that of these potential sources, hydroxyproline makes a modest contribution, 5– 10%, and the majority of others provide negligible amounts [2,3,4]. We hypothesize that glyoxal is one of the most important sources of endogenous oxalate synthesis in humans and possibly other organisms and is one that has been overlooked to date. Mounting evidence is suggesting that both glyoxal production and oxalate synthesis can be associated with oxidative stress
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