Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are potent inhibitors of calcium oxalate crystallisation and/or crystal aggregation. Urinary concentration of GAGs has been shown to vary during 24 h; therefore, circadian rhythmicity in urinary concentration of GAGs was investigated in 33 healthy male adults in the age group of 20–40 years and in 27 male patients of a similar age group with calcium nephrolithiasis. Three-hourly urine samples were collected for 24 h beginning from 00.00 h for estimation of urinary concentration of GAGs. The data of each patient was analysed by single cosinor rhythmometry and population mean-cosinor rhythmometry was then applied to each group. Twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of GAGs was significantly less in renal calculus patients (16.867 ± 5.89 µmol) than in healthy subjects (22.588 ± 5.32 µmol; p < 0.001). A statistically validated circadian rhythm in urinary concentration of GAGs was demonstrated in both the groups. However, the amplitude-acrophase test revealed a significant difference between the two groups (F2,57 = 8.305; p < 0.001); the amplitude was 2.354 µmol/l in patients with nephrolithiasis, whereas the amplitude was 7.028 µmol/l in healthy adults. The mesor test also revealed a significant difference in the 3-hour urinary concentration of GAGs between the two groups (18.536 µmol/l in healthy adults vs. 9.728 µmol/l in patients with nephrolithiasis). Thus in patients with nephrolithiasis, not only is the 24-hour urinary excretion of GAGs significantly low but the 3-hourly urinary concentration of GAGs is also significantly decreased as compared to healthy subjects. The amplitude of circadian rhythmicity in 3-hourly urinary concentration of GAGs is also significantly lower in the stone formers than healthy individuals.

Keywords:
Glycosaminoglycans, Kidney calculi, Circadian rhythm
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© 1989 S. Karger AG, Basel
1989
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