Interrelations among Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Sulfur and Phosphorus in the Formation of Kidney Stones in the Rat

Abstract

Dietary levels of magnesium, sulfur and phosphorus have been shown to affect markedly the excretion of a variety of urinary constituents and to influence the deposition of renal calcium oxalate in vitamin B₆-deficient rats. Diets high in magnesium or low in sulfur-protected rats against stone formation. The protective effect of high magnesium diets was interfered with when the diets were also low in phosphorus even though there was a decrease in the hyperoxaluria associated with vitamin B₆ deficiency. Apatite nephrocalcinosis was observed in rats receiving high phosphorus diets containing vitamin B₆ and 0.04% of magnesium. In vitamin B₆-deficient rats receiving diets high in phosphorus and containing 0.4% magnesium, renal calculi composed of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate were formed.