Control of oxalate urolithiasis by DL-alanine

Oxalate urolithiasis in male rats was experimentally induced by feeding a basal diet composed of Purina laboratory chow and 3 per cent glycolic acid. When this basal oxalate calculus-producing diet containing 10 per cent alanine was fed to rats, the incidence of oxalate urolithiasis was markedly reduced. Moreover, when Purina laboratory chow containing 10 per cent alanine was fed to rats which had been on the calculi-producing basal diet for 4 weeks, it appeared that most uroliths were dissolved. Excess intake of alanine increased the concentration of alanine in urine and this apparently aided in the prevention and treatment of urolithiasis.