Oxalate-degrading microorganisms or oxalate-degrading enzymes: which is the future therapy for enzymatic dissolution of calcium-oxalate uroliths in recurrent stone disease?

Urolithiasis. 2016 Feb;44(1):45-50. doi: 10.1007/s00240-015-0845-6. Epub 2015 Dec 8.

Abstract

Renal urolithiasis is a pathological condition common to a multitude of genetic, physiological and nutritional disorders, ranging from general hyperoxaluria to obesity. The concept of quickly dissolving renal uroliths via chemolysis, especially calcium-oxalate kidney stones, has long been a clinical goal, but yet to be achieved. Over the past 25 years, there has been a serious effort to examine the prospects of using plant and microbial oxalate-degrading enzymes known to catabolize oxalic acid and oxalate salts. While evidence is emerging that bacterial probiotics can reduce recurrent calcium-oxalate kidney stone disease by lowering systemic hyperoxaluria, the possible use of free oxalate-degrading enzyme therapy remains a challenge with several hurdles to overcome before reaching clinical practice.

Keywords: Enzymatic dissolution; Hyperoxaluria calcium oxalate (CaOx); Microbiome; Oxalate decarboxylase; Oxalate oxidase; Oxalate-degrading enzymes; Oxalyl-CoA decarboxlase.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Oxalate / metabolism*
  • Carboxy-Lyases / therapeutic use*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Humans
  • Kidney Calculi / therapy*
  • Oxalates / metabolism*
  • Oxalobacter formigenes / metabolism
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Oxalates
  • Calcium Oxalate
  • Carboxy-Lyases
  • oxalate decarboxylase