TREATMENT OF RENAL CALCIUM STONE DISEASE WITH THE SYNTHETIC GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN PENTOSAN POLYSULFATE

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are potent inhibitors of calcium oxalate gro wth and aggregation. The synthetic GAG pentosan polysulphate (PPS) was used in the treatment of patients with renal calcium stone disease. A ltogether, 121 patients were included in an open trial over a 3-year-p eriod. The average stone episode rate and the stone operation rate wer e no different during treatment and in the pretreatment period. Altoge ther 48% of the patients were entirely stone-free during follow-up, wh ereas 29/56 patients who continued to form stones reported smaller sto nes that were more easily passed. It is concluded that there may be a role for PPS in the treatment of recurrent renal calcium stone disease , but a controlled study may be needed.