Redox-Active Bacteria Alleviated Ethylene Glycol-Induced Kidney Calculi in Rats.

Introduction Impaired antioxidant capacity in the kidneys and urinary tract of animals suffering from kidney stones is a key pathological finding in urolithiasis. Bacteria with extracellular electron transfer (EET) ability can alter the oxidation and reduction potential of the surrounding environment. This article considered the preventive impact of an EET bacterium, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (Sh. O) on renal calcium oxalate crystal deposition and stone formation in a rat model. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly categorized into 3 experimental groups (n=7-9). One group was left untreated, and the other received ethylene glycol (1% v/v) in drinking water for 4 weeks. In the treatment group, in addition to drinking ethylene glycol, 0.5ml of the Sh. O suspension (3.5x1010 CFU/ml) was gavaged orally 2-3 times per week. After 29 days, the kidneys were removed and tested for histopathological findings and the number of CaOx deposits in the microscopic fields. Results The rats treated with Sh. O significantly reduced the number of CaOx deposits in the kidneys compared to the ethylene glycol group. Sh. O significantly increased kidney weight without significantly changing the total body weight. The bacterium Sh. O indicated a positive impact in preventing and removing CaOx deposition in the rat kidneys. Conclusions These results suggest a new approach for the prevention and treatment of kidney stone disease using electrogenic bacteria. Keywords: Nephrolithiasis; Extra Cellular Electron Transfer; Shewanella Oneidensis; [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]