Cell death‑related molecules and targets in the progression of urolithiasis (Review).

Urolithiasis is a high‑incidence disease caused by calcium oxalate (mainly), uric acid, calcium phosphate, struvite, apatite, cystine and other stones. The development of kidney stones is closely related to renal tubule cell damage and crystal adhesion and aggregation. Cell death, comprising the core steps of cell damage, can be classified into various types (i.e., apoptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis). Different crystal types, concentrations, morphologies and sizes cause tubular cell damage via the regulation of different forms of cell death. Oxidative stress caused by high oxalate or crystal concentrations is considered to be a precursor to a variety of types of cell death. In addition, complex crosstalk exists among numerous signaling pathways and their key molecules in various types of cell death. Urolithiasis is considered a metabolic disorder, and tricarboxylic acid cycle‑related molecules, such as citrate and succinate, are closely related to cell death and the inhibition of stone development. However, a literature review of the associations between kidney stone development, metabolism and various types of cell death is currently lacking, at least to the best of our knowledge. Thus, the present review summarizes the major advances in the understanding of regulated cell death and urolithiasis progression.

International journal of molecular medicine. 2024 Apr 26 [Epub]

Liping Wu, Xiaoyan Xue, Chengwu He, Yongchang Lai, Lingfei Tong

Department of Pharmacy, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341099, P.R. China., Department of Urology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China., Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China.