The Physiologic Effects of the Urocitra in Patients with Urolithiasis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the biochemical change in serum and 24-hour urine after therapy with Urocitra(R) in patients affected by urolithiasis, who had hypocitraturia alone or associated with other metabolic disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighteen patients with evidence of 1 or more stone attacks within the last 3 years participated in the present study. They were 78 men and 40 women (6 to 78 years old, with a mean age of 47.01 12.95 years). All of the patients received 15 to 20ml of Urocitra(R)-solution or 5 g of Urocitra(R)-C powder, three or four times daily for 3 months. Before treatment, 24-hour urine and venous blood samples were obtained, while patients were maintained on a random diet, and analyzed for various stone risk factors. After 1 week, 1 month and 3 months of treatment, samples were again obtained and analyzed in the same manner. Thereafter, we compared the biochemical values before and after treatment. RESULTS: In all three follow-up periods Urocitra(R) induced a significant increase in urinary citrate (p<0.001) level. Urinary potassium (p<0.001), pH (p<0.001) and total volume (p<0.05) also increased significantly after 1 and 3 months of therapy, as did urinary citrate excretion in patients with hypocitraturia and normocitraturia. Urocitra(R) did not alter calcium, sodium or phosphorus urinary excretion. There was no significant change of serum chemistry after administration. CONCLUSIONS: Urocitra(R) was effective in increasing urinary pH and citrate. Furthermore, it was relatively free of side effects, except for minor gastrointestinal distress. Thus, our study provides physiological and clinical validation for the use of Urocitra(R) in patients affected by urolithiasis, who have hypocitraturia alone or associated with another metabolic disorder.