cells Review The Molecular Aspect of Nephrolithiasis Development Paulina Wigner 1,* , Radosław Gr˛ebowski 2,3, Michal Bijak 4 , Janusz Szemraj 3 and Joanna Saluk-Bijak 1 1 Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland;
[email protected] 2 Department of Urology, Provincial Integrated Hospital in Plock, Medyczna 19, 09-400 Plock, Poland;
[email protected] 3 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 90-001 Lodz, Poland;
[email protected] 4 Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: Urolithiasis is the third most common urological disease after urinary tract infections and prostate diseases, and it is characterised by an occurrence rate of about 15%, which continues to rise. The increase in the incidence of kidney stones observed in recent decades, is most likely caused by modifications in dietary habits (high content of protein, sodium and sugar diet) and lifestyle (reduced physical activity) in all industrialised countries. Moreover, men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with kidney stones. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation, oxidant–antioxidant imbalance, angiogenesis, purine metabolism and urea cycle disorders may play a crucial role in nephrolithiasis development. Patients with urolithiasis were characterised by an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the products of lipid peroxidation, proinflammatory cytokines as well as proangiogenic factors, compared to controls.