In vitro effect of Sidi Hrazem mineral water on the dissolution of calcium oxalate monohydrate calculi (Whewellite)

Abstract

In Morocco, the thermo-mineral water of Sidi Hrazem (SH) is widely used to eliminate kidney stones. In fact, no affirmative study has investigated the ability of mineral water to dissolve any type of urinary calculi. The current study investigated the in vitro anti-urolithiatic activity of Sidi Hrazem mineral water against calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) calculi. In this respect, 15 small fragments of calcium oxalate monohydrate stones were randomly divided into five groups. The first and second groups were exposed to distilled water and Cystone ® (1g/L) respectively. The third and fourth groups were put in contact with the water of the upper source fountain and the lower source, respectively. The last group was placed in Sidi Hrazem marketed water. The dissolution capacity was evaluated by calculating the stones’ percentage dissolution after a stay in the experimental medium for eight weeks. The two fountains of SH mineral water showed a significant reduction of stone masses. Moreover, the upper source (SHU) and the lower source (SHL) fountains have been able to reduce the masses of calculi with a percentage dissolution of 26.94 % and 24.41 %, respectively. Negative and positive control groups showed a percentage dissolution of 12% and 40.96 %, respectively. Observation, at the mesoscopic scale, revealed a difference in the texture of the surface. Sidi Hrazem mineral water is capable of dissolving calcium oxalate stones. In effect, to complete this study and confirm its results, it is necessary to conduct laboratory analysis on this water to detect the factor responsible for its actions towards this type of gravel or other types of stones.