[Oxalate as a promoter in calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis]

Oxalate transports on membranes of red blood cell, intestinal epithelium and proximal tubule cell were reviewed, and the new findings about oxalate transport across these membranes are reported. Red blood cell oxalate influx rate in a group of recurrent calcium oxalate stone formers was significantly higher than that of a control group. In the red blood cells of mammals, the band 3 protein transports oxalate. Although abnormal influx rate of red blood cells might be recognized as an expression of somatic cell abnormality of oxalate transport in some recurrent stone formers, the band 3 protein is not related to oxalate transport in both kidney and intestine. The study using brush border membrane vesicles suggested the presence of Na-oxalate co-transport. In humans, sodium intake increased the oxalate/creatinine ratio of urine. This indicated that excessive sodium intake might be a risk factor of stone formation. Further study of oxalate transport of both kidney and intestine will be required to elucidate an etiology of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis.