The effect of extracorporeal electromagnetic shock waves on renal proximal tubular function

In order to investigate the effect of electromagnetic shock waves on proximal tubular renal function, we measured the urine levels of the lysosomal enzyme N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) prior to, 1 hour, 1 day, and 1 week after extracorporeal electromagnetic lithotripsy (ESWL) in 50 patients with urinary stone disease. Mean NAG level which was 5.18 + 0.09 U/l prior to ESWL increased to 5.29 + 0.09 U/l in the first hour and to 10.7 + 0.19 U/l on the first day after ESWL (p < 0.001). The level returned to pre-ESWL values one week after ESWL (5.27 + 0.09 U/l). These findings show that extracorporeal electromagnetic shock waves cause significant damage to the proximal tubular epithelium of the kidney; however, these changes return to normal in the first week.