Xanthine-containing calculi during allopurinol therapy

Red Blood Cells from Individuals with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome: Multi-Omics Insights into a Novel S162N Mutation Causing Hypoxanthine-Guanine Phosphoribosyltransferase Deficiency

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LN) is an is an X-linked recessive inborn error of metabolism that arises from a deficiency of purine salvage enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). The disease manifests severely, causing intellectual deficits and other neural abnormalities, hypercoagulability, uncontrolled self-injury, and gout. While allopurinol is used to alleviate gout, other symptoms are less understood, impeding treatment. Herein, we present a high-throughput multi-omics analysis of red blood cells (RBCs) from three pediatric siblings carrying a novel S162N HPRT1 mutation. RBCs from both parents-the mother, a heterozygous carrier, and the father, a clinically healthy control-were also analyzed. Global metabolite analysis of LN RBCs shows accumulation of glycolytic intermediates upstream of pyruvate kinase, unsaturated fatty acids, and long chain acylcarnitines. Similarly, highly unsaturated phosphatidylcholines are also elevated in LN RBCs, while free choline is decreased. Intracellular iron, zinc, selenium, and potassium are also decreased in LN RBCs. Global proteomics documented changes in RBC membrane proteins, hemoglobin, redox homeostasis proteins, and the enrichment of coagulation proteins. These changes were accompanied by elevation in protein glutamine deamidation and methylation in the LN children and carrier mother. Treatment with allopurinol incompletely reversed the observed phenotypes in the two older siblings currently on this treatment. This unique data set provides novel opportunities for investigations aimed at potential therapies for LN-associated sequelae.

Xanthine calculi in a patient with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and factor V Leiden treated with allopurinol: case report

Background

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a rare inborn error of purine metabolism marked by a complete deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). Inherited as an X-linked recessive genetic disorder that primarily affects males, patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome exhibit severe neurological impairments, including choreoathetosis, ballismus, cognitive dysfunction, and self-injurious behavior. Uric acid levels are usually abnormally high, leading to kidney and bladder stones which often necessitate urological intervention. Factor V Leiden is an autosomal dominant disorder of blood clotting associated with hypercoagulability, thrombophilia, and renal disease.

Case presentation

We present the first reported case of xanthine calculi in a patient with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and Factor V Leiden who was treated with allopurinol. A renal ultrasound and CT scan demonstrated bilateral staghorn calculi in the kidneys as well as nephrocalcinosis. Two years earlier the patient underwent cystoscopy with bilateral ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy, and he was stone free afterwards. The patient subsequently underwent bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and was stone free following the procedure. Patients with endogenous overproduction of uric acid who are being treated with allopurinol have a higher chance of developing xanthine stones.

Conclusions

Pediatricians treating these children should be aware of these rare conditions and promptly manage the potential complications that may require medical or surgical intervention.

Drug-Induced Kidney Stones and Crystalline Nephropathy: Pathophysiology, Prevention and Treatment

Drug-induced calculi represent 1-2% of all renal calculi. The drugs reported to produce calculi may be divided into two groups. The first one includes poorly soluble drugs with high urine excretion that favour crystallisation in the urine. Among them, drugs used for the treatment of patients with human immunodeficiency, namely atazanavir and other protease inhibitors, and sulphadiazine used for the treatment of cerebral toxoplasmosis, are the most frequent causes. Besides these drugs, about 20 other molecules may induce nephrolithiasis, such as ceftriaxone or ephedrine-containing preparations in subjects receiving high doses or long-term treatment. Calculi analysis by physical methods including infrared spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction is needed to demonstrate the presence of the drug or its metabolites within the calculi. Some drugs may also provoke heavy intra-tubular crystal precipitation causing acute renal failure. Here, the identification of crystalluria or crystals within the kidney tissue in the case of renal biopsy is of major diagnostic value. The second group includes drugs that provoke the formation of urinary calculi as a consequence of their metabolic effects on urinary pH and/or the excretion of calcium, phosphate, oxalate, citrate, uric acid or other purines. Among such metabolically induced calculi are those formed in patients taking uncontrolled calcium/vitamin D supplements, or being treated with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide or topiramate. Here, diagnosis relies on a careful clinical inquiry to differentiate between common calculi and metabolically induced calculi, of which the incidence is probably underestimated. Specific patient-dependent risk factors also exist in relation to urine pH, volume of diuresis and other factors, thus providing a basis for preventive or curative measures against stone formation.

Nephrolithiasis related to inborn metabolic diseases

Nephrolithiasis associated with inborn metabolic diseases is a very rare condition with some common characteristics: early onset of symptoms, family history, associated tubular impairment, bilateral, multiple and recurrent stones, and association with nephrocalcinosis. The prognosis of such diseases may lead to life threatening conditions, not only because of unabated kidney damage but also because of progressive extra-renal involvement, either in a systemic form (e.g. primary hyperoxaluria type 1, requiring combined liver and kidney transplantation), or in a neurological form (Lesch-Nyhan syndrome leading to auto-mutilation and disability, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase superactivity, which is associated with mental retardation). Patients with other inborn metabolic diseases present only with recurrent stone formation, such as cystinuria, adenine phosphoribosyl-transferase deficiency, xanthine deficiency. Finally, nephrolithiasis may be secondarily part of some other metabolic diseases, such as glycogen storage disease type 1 or inborn errors of metabolism leading to Fanconi syndrome (nephropathic cystinosis, tyrosinaemia type 1, fructose intolerance, Wilson disease, respiratory chain disorders, etc.). The diagnosis is based on highly specific investigations, including crystal identification, biochemical analyses and DNA study. The treatment of nephrolithiasis requires hydration as well as specific measures. Compliance is a major issue regarding the progression of renal damage, but the overall outcome mainly depends on extra-renal involvement in relation to the metabolic defect.

Efficacy and safety of allopurinol in patients with hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency is a genetic disease of purine metabolism resulting in uric acid overproduction. Allopurinol, which inhibits the enzyme xanthine oxidase and reduces uric acid synthesis, is widely used for the treatment of gout and uric acid overproduction. The aim of the study was to analyze the long-term efficacy and safety of allopurinol in patients with HPRT deficiency. Nineteen patients (13 with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and 6 with partial HPRT deficiency) were treated with allopurinol (mean dose, 6.4 mg/kg body weight per day; range, 3.7-9.7 mg/kg body weight per day) and followed up for at least 12 months (mean follow-up, 7.6 years). The efficacy of allopurinol was evaluated by serial measurement of purine metabolic parameters and renal function as well as by clinical manifestations. Safety was assessed by recording adverse events. Treatment with allopurinol normalized serum urate level in all patients and resulted in a mean reduction in serum urate of 47%. Allopurinol treatment was associated with a mean 74% reduction in urinary uric acid-to-creatinine ratio. In contrast, allopurinol treatment increased mean hypoxanthine and xanthine urinary excretion rates 5.4- and 9.5-fold, respectively, compared with baseline levels. The decrease in uric acid excretion in complete and partial HPRT-deficient patients was not accompanied by a stoichiometric substitution of hypoxanthine and xanthine excretion rates. Allopurinol-related biochemical changes were similar in patients with either complete or partial HPRT deficiency. Renal function remained stable or improved with treatment. Three patients had urolithiasis during allopurinol treatment. In 2 patients, xanthine stones were documented and they required allopurinol dose adjustments aimed at reducing excessive oxypurine excretion rates. No allopurinol hypersensitivity reactions occurred. Neurologic manifestations were not influenced by allopurinol therapy. In conclusion, allopurinol is efficacious and generally safe for the treatment of uric acid overproduction in patients with HPRT deficiencies. Xanthine lithiasis, developing as a consequence of allopurinol therapy, should be preventable by adjustment of allopurinol dose.

Efficacy and safety of allopurinol in patients with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and partial hypoxanthine- phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency: a follow-up study of 18 Spanish patients

Allopurinol is used widely for the treatment of purine disorders such as gout, but efficacy and safety of allopurinol has not been analyzed systematically in an extensive series of patients with HPRT deficiency. From 1984 to 2004 we have diagnosed 30 patients with HPRT deficiency. Eighteen patients (12 with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or complete HPRT deficiency, and 6 with partial HPRT deficiency) were treated with allopurinol (mean dose, 6.44 mg/Kg of weight per day) and followed-up for at least 12 months (mean follow-up 7,6 years per patient). Mean age at diagnosis was 7 years (range, 5 months to 35 years). Treatment with allopurinol was associated to a mean reduction of serum urate concentration of 50%, and was normalized in all patients. Mean urinary uric acid excretion was reduced by 75% from baseline values, and uric acid to creatinine ratio was close or under 1.0 in all patients. In contrast, hypoxanthine and xanthine urinary excretion rates increased by a mean of 6 and 10 times, respectively, compared to baseline levels. These modifications were similar in patients with complete or partial HPRT deficiency. In 2 patients xanthine stones were documented despite allopurinol dose adjustments to prevent markedly increased oxypurine excretion rates. Neurological manifestations did not appear to be influenced by allopurinol therapy. Allopurinol is a very efficacy and fairly safety drug for the treatment of uric acid overproduction in patients with complete and partial HPRT deficiency. Allopurinol was associated with xanthine lithiasis.

Acute renal failure due to bilateral xanthine urolithiasis in a boy with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a very rare X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutation in the gene encoding enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). A complete deficiency of HPRT leads to severe purine overproduction and to uric acid renal lithiasis as a consequence. This may be effectively prevented by administration of allopurinol; however, its overdosage may result in xanthinuria and xanthine urolithiasis. We report on a 9-year-old boy with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome who developed acute renal failure due to bilateral staghorn xanthine urolithiasis resulting from long-term treatment with excessive doses of allopurinol. To the best of our knowledge, the presented case is the first one in the literature.

Xanthine urolithiasis

Xanthine calculi are uncommonly encountered stones. When they occur, they typically do so in association with inborn metabolic disorders such as hereditary xanthinuria or Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. They may also occur in association with states of profound hyperuricemia such as myeloproliferative disease after treatment with allopurinol. If the underlying disorder is not addressed, a high risk of stone recurrence exists. Therefore, to raise clinical awareness, we reviewed and report our experience in the treatment of patients with these stones, discussing the underlying pathophysiology and approach to treatment.

Drug-induced acute kidney injury

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to describe the most prevalent mechanisms of drug-induced acute kidney injury, to define the risk factors for nephrotoxicity, and to analyze the available evidence for preventive measures.

RECENT FINDINGS

Drug toxicity remains an important cause of acute kidney injury that, in many circumstances, can be prevented or at least minimized by vigilance and early intervention. Recent studies have resulted in increased insight into the subcellular mechanisms of drug nephrotoxicity. Further improvement is to be expected from the identification of early markers of nephrotoxicity and an increasing involvement of a clinical pharmacist.

SUMMARY

The main mechanisms of nephrotoxicity are vasoconstriction, altered intraglomerular hemodynamics, tubular cell toxicity, interstitial nephritis, crystal deposition, thrombotic microangiopathy, and osmotic nephrosis. Before prescribing a potentially nephrotoxic drug, the risk-to-benefit ratio and the availability of alternative drugs should be considered. Modifiable risk factors should be corrected. The correct drug dosage should be prescribed. Patients should be pre-hydrated and the glomerular filtration rate should be frequently monitored during the administration of a potentially nephrotoxic drug. Studies are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms of nephrotoxicity to design more-rational prevention and treatment strategies. Computer-based prescriber-order entry and an appropriately trained intensive care unit pharmacist are particularly helpful to minimize medication errors and adverse drug events.

Simultaneous treatment with citrate prevents nephropathy induced by FYX-051, a xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor, in rats

The possible mechanism of the underlying nephropathy found in the rat toxicity study of FYX-051, a xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor, was investigated. Rats received oral treatment of either 1 or 3 mg/kg of FYX-051, with and without citrate for four weeks to elucidate whether nephropathy could be caused by materials deposited in the kidney. Furthermore, analysis of the renal deposits in rats was also performed. Consequently, interstitial nephritis comprising interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, dilatation, basophilia and epithelial necrosis of renal tubules and collecting ducts, deposits in renal tubules and collecting ducts, and so forth was seen in six of the eight rats and in all eight rats in the 1 and 3 mg/kg FYX-051 alone groups, respectively, with the intensity in the 3 mg/kg group being moderate to severe. In the simultaneous treatment with citrate group, however, no alterations were observed in the kidney, except for minimal interstitial nephritis in one instance in the 3 mg/kg FYX-051 + citrate group along with an increased urinary pH, leading to an increase in xanthine solubility. Analysis of intrarenal deposits showed that the entity would be composed of xanthine crystals. The present study, therefore, showed that nephropathy in rats occurring after the administration of FYX-051 was a secondary change caused by xanthine crystals being deposited in the kidney, and no other causes could be implicated in this kidney lesion.

Simultaneous determination of 16 purine derivatives in urinary calculi by gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection has been developed for the analysis of purines in urinary calculi. The method using gradient of methanol concentration and pH was able to separate 16 compounds: uric acid, 2,8-dihydroxyadenine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, allopurinol and oxypurinol as well as 10 methyl derivatives of uric acid or xanthine (1-, 3-, 7- and 9-methyluric acid, 1,3-, 1,7- and 3,7-dimethyluric acid, 1-, 3- and 7-methylxanthine). Limits of detection for individual compounds ranged from 0.006 to 0.035 mg purine/g of the stone weight and precision (CV%) was 0.5-2.4%. The method enabled us to detect in human uric acid stones admixtures of nine other purine derivatives: natural metabolites (hypoxanthine, xanthine, 2,8-dihydroxyadenine) and methylated purines (1-, 3- and 7-methyluric acid, 1,3-dimethyluric acid, 3- and 7-methylxanthine) originating from the metabolism of methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline and theobromine). The method allows simultaneous quantitation of all known purine constituents of urinary stones, including methylated purines, and may be used as a reference one for diagnosing disorders of purine metabolism and research on the pathogenesis of urolithiasis.

Canine urate urolithiasis. Etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and management

Etiopathologic factors predisposing to urate lithogenesis in Dalmatian and non-Dalmatian dogs represent diverse pathologic and/or physiologic processes involving purine nucleotide and ammonia synthesis, biodegradation, and excretion. Predisposing factors for urate urolith formation include hyperuricemia, hyperammonemia, hyperuricosuria, hyperammonuria, aciduria, and genetic predisposition. Medical therapy of dogs forming urate uroliths should be directed at modifying these predisposing factors through dietary modification, administration of allopurinol, and/or surgical correction of portovascular anomalies if present. The precise mechanisms resulting in urate urolith formation in dogs have not been determined.

Abnormal serum uric acid levels in children

Measurement of the serum uric acid level, most commonly considered in adult patients, is frequently obtained inadvertently for pediatric patients because it is a standard component of many multichannel chemistry profiles offered by clinical laboratories. Most standard references for normal uric acid values do not take into account the impact of the metabolic changes in children at different ages on the uric acid level. A substantial number of childhood conditions may produce perturbations in the serum uric acid level. Knowledge of normal serum uric acid levels and of the conditions affecting those levels in children enables a more focused pursuit of underlying abnormalities.

Renal sonography in long standing Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

The Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is an x-linked defect of purine metabolism resulting in its classical form in major neurodevelopmental abnormality, hyperuricaemia, and hyperuricosuria. Uric acid calculi and crystalluria are common. Allopurinol is the main method of reducing serum and urinary uric acid levels, but results in xanthinuria and oxypurinoluria, both of which may cause crystal nephropathy and calculi. The variable ultrasonic appearances of multiple calculi and increased medullary echogenicity in four cases of long-standing treated disease and the nature of the renal disorder, which is at least partially iatrogenic, are described.

Urolithiasis in childhood

Urolithiasis occurs less frequently in children than it does in adults living in contemporary industrialized nations. However, renal calculi continue to be identified with greater frequency in certain children: those who live in some areas of North America (e.g., the Southeastern United States), in those with relatively common metabolic disorders such as idiopathic hypercalciuria or with congenital urinary tract malformations, and in patients who have remained immobilized for long periods. Evaluation of children with suspected urolithiasis should include a careful history and physical examination to identify associated symptoms and signs and factors known to predispose to calculus formation, appropriate radiographic and blood studies, and timed urine collections. Appropriate management varies with etiology but should include maintaining adequate fluid intake, and long-term monitoring of the activity of the stone disease.