Effect of DL alpha-lipoic acid in glyoxylate-induced acute lithiasis.

Glyoxylic lithiasis by acute intoxication with sodium glyoxylate, significantly raised the levels of renal tissue calcium and oxalate which has been reflected simultaneously in their urinary levels. Administration of DL alpha-lipoic acid lowered the oxalate levels in the kidney and urine. Sodium glyoxylate administration resulted in enhanced liver glycollate oxidase activity, the major enzyme in endogenous oxalate synthesis. DL alpha-lipoic acid decreased glycollate oxidase activity but did not have any effect on lactate dehydrogenase. The possibility of regulating oxalate metabolism in glyoxylic lithiasis with the use of DL alpha-lipoic acid, by way of inhibiting liver glycollate oxidase, looks attractive.