TREATMENT AND RESULTS OF CYSTINURIA AND C YSTINE URINARY CALCULI BY ADMINISTRATION OF ALPHA-MERCAPTOPROPIONYLGLYCINE

From 1987 to 1990, 719 subjects (385 males and 334 females) were scree ned, by means of urocystin-kit, for cystinuria and cystine lithiasis, in Epirus district (North-West Greece). The positive results were conf irmed by chromatographic analysis of urine aminoacids and laboratory t ests. Forty patients, belonging to six cystinuric families, were ident ified. These patients were excreting 3,1 +/- 1,7 mmol/24 h of cystine in urine. All patients were treated by per os administration of alpha- MPG in daily doses of 400-1200 mg/24 h). We therefore report the resul ts of a 4 +/- 2 year follow-up of these patients. We conclude that tre atment with alpha-MPG is very effective with minimal side effects inpa tients suffering from cystinuria or cystine urinary calculi.