Potassium citrate has long been used as a prophylactic remedy for
nephrolithiasis recurrence. Lemonade consumption is also suggested as an option. We compared the efficacy of consumption of
solution containing manufactured
lime powder with that of
potassium citrate, on the improvement of metabolic risk factors, oxidative stress and renal tubular damage in
nephrolithiasis patients. Patients with
kidney stone were enrolled and randomly assigned to three treatment programs for 3 month period consisting of consumption of
solution containing
lime powder (Group 1, n=13),
potassium citrate (Group 2, n=11) and
lactose as placebo regimen (Group 3, n=7).
Lime powder and
potassium citrate contained equal amounts of
potassium (21 mEq) and
citrate (63 mEq).
After treatment, there was an increase in urinary pH,
potassium and
citrate in Group 1 and 2. Increased plasma
potassium and red blood cell
glutathione (R-GSH) and decreased urinary
malondialdehyde were found in Group 1, but not observed in Group 2. R-GSH was decreased in Group 2. Urinary N-acetyl-beta-
glucosaminidase activity and fractional excretion of
magnesium, as renal tubular damage indicators, were decreased only in Group 1. In Group 3, all measured parameters were unaltered except for an increased urinary
chloride. In conclusion, consumption of our in-house
lime powder exerted citraturic and alkalinizing actions as efficient as consumption of
potassium citrate. In addition, it provided an antioxidative effect and was able to attenuate renal tubular damage. These pharmacological properties may be clinically useful to diminish the stone-forming potential in
kidney stone patients and hence for preventing recurrent
calculi.