A new animal model of hyperoxaluria and nephrolithiasis in rats with small bowel resection

An association between small bowel resection and stone disease has been noted, which is primarily due to increased gut oxalate absorption and resulting excretion by the kidney. In order to better understand the factors affecting both oxalate absorption and renal excretion, and the resulting renal lesions, we have developed a rodent model of small bowel resection and hyperoxaluria. Using this model, we have studied the renal histology in animals with hyperoxaluria over time spans from 2 weeks to 7 months. The initial lesion appears to be crystal formation along the brush border of the proximal tubule, with eventual crystal deposition in collecting ducts and papillary interstitium, and eventual tubule obstruction, interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Crystal formation appears to dissociate from urinary supersaturation. We hypothesize that oxalate transporters in the proximal tubule may increase local saturations, leading to crystal formation at this site initially. Further studies are required to better characterize the causes and consequences of hyperoxaluria in this animal model.