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Ethylene glycol induces calcium oxalate crystal deposition in Malpighian tubules: a Drosophila model for nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis.

Chen YH, Liu HP, Chen HY, Tsai FJ, Chang CH, Lee YJ, Lin WY, Chen WC

Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Several animal species are used to study calcium oxalate urolithiasis; however, an ideal model has yet to be identified. We used Drosophila as a model organism and fed the flies lithogenic agents such as ethylene glycol, hydroxyl-L-proline, and sodium oxalate. At different times, the Malpighian tubules, the kidney equivalent of insects, were dissected and a polarized light microscope used to highlight the birefringent crystals. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed that the crystal composition was predominately calcium oxalate. Furthermore, administration of potassium citrate successfully reduced the quantity of and modulated the integrity of the ethylene glycol-induced crystals. Thus, the Drosophila model of bio-mineralization produces crystals in the urinary system through many lithogenic agents, permits observation of crystal formation, and is amenable to genetic manipulation. This model may mimic the etiology and clinical manifestations of calcium oxalate stone formation and aid in identification of the genetic basis of this disease.

Published 29 July 2011 in Kidney Int, 80(4): 369-77.
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