Damaging effects of high energy shock waves on cultured Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells.

Shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has become an almost non-invasive standard treatment modality for urolithiasis. Several investigations, however, demonstrated that ESWL is not completely free of side effects. Among others alteration of renal tubular function has been reported. To study the effect of shock waves on tubular cells directly an in-vitro model with cultured Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells was established. Suspensions of MDCK cells (7 groups of 6 containers each) were exposed to 0, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 shock waves (Dornier HM4, 18 kV). Before and 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 h after ESWL the following parameters were measured in the nutrient medium: lactate dehydroxygenase (LDH), glutamate oxalacetate transaminase (GOT), electrolytes. LDH and GOT increased depending on the number of shock waves indicating a membrane damage of MDCK cells. The MDCK model seems suitable for further studies on the effect of shock waves on renal tubular cells.