Objective: To establish nephrolithiasis rat model induced by nanobacteria and to determine the relationship of nanobacteria with nephrolithiasis.
Methods: Thirty adult male SD rats were randomized into 3 groups (n=10 each): group A, given an intravenous injection of nanobacteria; group B, given an intravenous injection of nanobacteria and taken tetracycline; group C, as normal control. Eight weeks later, all rats were sacrificed and the kidneys were examined for pathology and the 24-h urine N-acetyl-beta-D-aminoglycoside enzyme (NAG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were detected.
Results: Histopathological studies revealed nanobacteria induced renal tubular crystallization, which was significantly different among the 3 groups (P=0.033). The crystallization was higher in group A than that in group B. The urinary NAG and LDH excretion were significantly different among the 3 groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Nanobacteria may be involved in the pathogenesis of nephrolithiasis. Tetracycline may inhibit stone formation.