Hormonal and molecular characterization of calcium oxalate stone formers predicting occurrence and recurrence

Abstract Abstract Purpose: To investigate the role of sex hormones, androgen receptors (ARs) and mi-RNA/CSF-1 in occurrence and recurrence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) renal urolithiasis. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 74 patients with CaOx stones; stone formers group (SFG) and 40 healthy subjects; control group were compared. SFG includes both denovo and recurrent cases. Steroid sex hormone plasma assay including testosterone, free testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin were analyzed. ARs, mi-RNA 185-5p and CSF-1 expression were compared between groups. Results: SFG showed significant higher ARs and mi-RNA 185-5p expression (3.7 ± 1.3, 1.8 ± 0.4, respectively) than control group (1 ± 0.08 and 1± 0.07, respectively) (p < 0.05). However, CSF-1 expression was significantly lower in stone formers than control group. (0.4 ± 0.19 vs 1 ± 0.1, respectively) (p < 0.05). No differences were detected between denovo and recurrent SFG regarding sex hormones, AR, mi-RNA or CSF-1 expression. Conclusion: Our data suggest the important role of AR. mi-RNA and CSF-1 signaling in human nephrolithiasis pathogenesis.