Journal
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
Volume 80, Issue 4, Pages 369-377Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1038/ki.2011.80
Keywords
calcium oxalate; Drosophila melanogaster; ethylene glycol; nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis; potassium citrate
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Funding
- National Science Council, Taiwan [NSC 97-2320-B-039-022-MY3, NSC 98-2314-B-039-023-MY3]
- Department of Health, Taiwan
- Executive Yuan, Taiwan [DOH98-TD-F-113-098011, DOH100-TD-B-111-004s]
- China Medical University Hospital,Taichung, Taiwan [CMU97-CMC-003]
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Several animal species are used to study calcium oxalate urolithiasis; however, an ideal model has yet to be identified. We used Drosophila as a model organism and fed the flies lithogenic agents such as ethylene glycol, hydroxyl-L-proline, and sodium oxalate. At different times, the Malpighian tubules, the kidney equivalent of insects, were dissected and a polarized light microscope used to highlight the birefringent crystals. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed that the crystal composition was predominately calcium oxalate. Furthermore, administration of potassium citrate successfully reduced the quantity of and modulated the integrity of the ethylene glycol-induced crystals. Thus, the Drosophila model of bio-mineralization produces crystals in the urinary system through many lithogenic agents, permits observation of crystal formation, and is amenable to genetic manipulation. This model may mimic the etiology and clinical manifestations of calcium oxalate stone formation and aid in identification of the genetic basis of this disease. Kidney International (2011) 80, 369-377; doi:10.1038/ki.2011.80; published online 30 March 2011
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