Does extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy therapy affect thiol-disulfide homeostasis?

Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive method that is effective at crushing stones in the upper urinary tract. Disturbance of the thiol/disulfide homeostasis, in favor of the disulfide, has been shown to be involved in the disease pathogenesis.

A total of 36 individuals that underwent ESWL had blood samples collected before ESWL (0hrs), 6hrs, and one week after the ESWL. Sera native and total as wells as disulfide amount was measured using an automated method sodium borohydrate (NaBH₄) reduction. In addition, Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA) levels were measured using colorimetric assay method.

Native thiol level was reduced at the 6th hour following ESWL compared to baseline. While the ratios of disulfide level, Disulfide/Total Thiol (DTT), Disulfide/Native Thiol (DNT) and IMA level were increased at the 6th hour following ESWL compared to baseline, they were found to be similar with their baseline values at the end of 1st week. Total thiol and native /total thiol did not show any significant change.

ESWL treatment disrupts thiol/disulfide homeostasis and the structure of albumin at the acute term. Therefore, it increases protein oxidation and leads to increased oxidative stress. However, this state is transient and returns to normal within the proceeding days.