Effects of Magnesium Oxide on the Crystallization of Calcium Salts in Urine in Patients with Recurrent Nephrolithiasis

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Abstract
The effect of oral administration of magnesium oxide on the crystallization in urine of calcium oxalate and brushite was determined in 4 cases of recurrent Ca nephrolithiasis. Each patient was evaluated while on a constant metabolic diet before, during and after therapy with Mg (1000 mg Mg as magnesium oxide/day). During Mg therapy urinary H+ concentration increased by approximately 0.5 unit in all 4 patients and urinary Ca increased about 50 mg/day in 2. Urinary oxalate decreased significantly in 1 patient and urinary P was reduced in 2. The urinary activity product ratio of brushite (state of saturation) increased, owing largely to the rise in urinary H+ concentration but that of calcium oxalate was not changed significantly by Mg treatment. Although urinary Mg increased significantly there was no significant change in the urinary formation product ratio (limit of metastability) or the rate of crystal growth of brushite or calcium oxalate. Thus, no beneficial effect of Mg therapy could be demonstrated in this short-term study.