The Relationship between High Fluoride Intake and Nephrolithiasis

Vol. 1, No. 3, 2007

Free Abstract Article (PDF 384 KB)

Original Paper

The Relationship between High Fluoride Intake and Nephrolithiasis
Felix Grases, Joan Perello, Bernat Isern, Antonia Costa-Bauza

Laboratory of Renal Lithiasis Research, University Institute of Health Sciences Research, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Address of Corresponding Author

Curr Urol 2007;1:155-160 (DOI: 10.1159/000115379)

Key Words

Calcium oxalate
Urinary fluoride
Pyrophosphate
Phytate
Renal stones

Abstract

Background and Aims: One poorly studied factor that probably has a significant influence on the development of calcium oxalate renal calculi is the presence of urinary het-erogeneous nucleants, since the urine of all individuals is per-manently supersaturated with calcium oxalate. In this study we investigated and evaluated the role of calcium fluoride (CaF₂) as seed crystals for the induction of calcium oxalate urolith development. Materials and Methods: Induction of calcium oxalate urolith development in the presence of CaF₂seed crystals was studied using batch crystallizers and flow systems in the presence of both fluoride ions and CaF₂seed crystals. The effects of diverse crystallization inhibitors were also evaluated. Results: The results suggest that the forma-tion of CaF₂crystals in urine, even considering the excretion of high amounts of fluoride ions, is very unlikely. Nevertheless, when formed, CaF₂crystals acted as heterogeneous nucleants of calcium oxalate crystals. This effect was delayed in the presence of the crystallization inhibitors phytate and pyrophosphate at concentrations similar to those normally found in urine. Citrate, chondroitin sulfate and pentosan polysulfate were not inhibitory. Conclusion: High urinary fluoride levels alone do not cause calcium oxalate stone development; other factors must also exist, such as retention of CaF₂ crystals and deficit of crystallization inhibitors.

Author Contacts

Felix Grases, Laboratory of Renal Lithiasis Research, Facultad de Ciencias, University of Balearic Islands, ES-07122, Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Tel. +34 971173257, Fax +34 971173426, E-Mail fgrases@uib.es

Article Information

Received: August 8, 2007
Accepted: September 27, 2007
Published online: March 18, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 0

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