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BACKGROUND We performed macro and micro-autoradiographic studies using 14C-oxalate in normal and hyperoxaluric rats in order to elucidate intrarenal distribution of oxalate and to determine where calcium oxalate crystal can be adhere in the kidney. METHODS Macro and micro-autoradiographic studies of the kidney in normal rats were carried out at intervals of 15, 30 and 90 min after intravenous administration of 14C-oxalate (37 MBq/kg BW). Hyperoxaluria was induced by vitamin B6 deficient diet. The procedure of macro and micro autoradiography is the same as that in normal rat. RESULTS In normal rats, macroautoradiogram showed that the radioactivity of 14C-oxalate exists in the whole kidney, and microautoradiogram identified this radioactivity mainly in the extraluminal space of renal tubules at 15 min. Macro and micro-autoradiograms taken 90 min after the injection showed practically no radioactivity of 14C-oxalate in the cortex or the medulla, but it was located in the extraluminal space of the papilla. In hyperoxaluric rats, macroautoradiogram showed some spotty accumulations of 14C-oxalate in the inner medulla and papilla. Microautoradiogram revealed that these accumulations are mainly seen in the extraluminal space. CONCLUSION These results indicate that in normal rats the injected 14C-oxalate remains in the renal papilla, especially in the extraluminal space, when nearly all oxalate was excreted by urine, and in hyperoxaluric rats 14C-oxalate exists there as calcium oxalate crystal or microlith.

Hyperthermic treatment was performed in 31 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Eight patients of them had a urethral catheter because of urinary retention. The prostate was heated trans-rectally to 43-45 degrees C. The treatment consisted of 10 sessions of 60 min. each. To evaluate this treatment, the following parameters were determined before, during and one week after the last hyperthermia session: subjective symptoms score, and residual urine volume, uroflowmetry and transrectal ultrasound of the prostate as objective data. Symptoms score improve in all patients. Of 8 patients with a catheter, the catheter could be removed from 4 patients. There was no significant change in prostate volume, but significant decreases of residual urine volume, and increases of maximum flow rate and mean flow rate were observed. No adverse reactions were seen. Judging from the above results, this treatment is considered to be useful for patients with BPH.