Gastrointestinal oxalic acid absorption in calcium-treated rats

We studied whether urinary oxalate excretion after an acute oral load of oxalic acid is influenced by concomitant administration of calcium in rats. Male Wistar rats weighing approximately 180 g were divided into six groups of five animals each. After inducing anesthesia, the animals were orally (via a gastrostomy) given 110 micromol of oxalic acid along with 0, 27.5, 55, 110, or 220 micromol of calcium (0, 27.5, 55, 110, or 220 micromol Ca group, respectively). Saline was given to the control group instead of oxalic acid. Urine specimens were collected before administration and then at hourly intervals up to 5 h afterward. Urinary oxalate and citrate levels were measured by capillary electrophoresis, while urinary calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels were measured by ICP spectrophotometry. Urinary oxalate excretion peaked at 1 h after administration and was higher in the 0, 27.5, and 55 micromol Ca groups than in the control group. The urinary recovery of oxalate in these groups was 10-15%, while the recovery rate was less than 3% in other groups. Urinary Ca excretion showed no significant changes, either over time or between groups. Free oxalic acid is absorbed more readily from the gastrointestinal tract than calcium oxalate, while simultaneous administration of calcium appears to block intestinal oxalic acid absorption in a dose-dependent manner.