Abstract
Excessive sodium intake is associated with nephrolithiasis, but the impact of sodium-deficient (SD) diets is unknown. Hence, we investigated the effects of short- and long-term SD diets on the expression of renal aquaporins and sodium transporters, and thus calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal formation in hyperoxaluria rats. In a short-term sodium balance study, six male rats received drinking water and six received 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) to induce hyperoxaluria. After a 30-day period of feeding on normal chow, both groups were treated with a normal-sodium diet for 5 days, followed by a sodium-free diet for the next 5 days. In a long-term SD study (42 days), four groups, induced with EG or not, were treated with normal-sodium water and sodium-free drinking water, alternately. Short-term sodium restriction in EG rats reversed the daily positive sodium balance, but progressively caused a negative cumulative water balance. In the long-term study, the abundant levels of of Na/H exchanger, thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter, Na-K-ATPase, and aquaporins-1 from SD + EG rats were markedly reduced, corresponding to a decrease in Uosm, as compared to SD rats. Increased urine calcium, AP(CaOx)index, and renal CaOx deposition were also noted in SD + EG rats. Although the SD treatment reduced sodium excretion, it also increased urinary calcium and impaired renal function, ultimately causing the formation of more CaOx crystals.