Cation exchange resin and calcium excretion. An experimental study.

It has been suggested that cation exchange resins might be helpful in urinary stone prophylaxis. The effect of the cation exchange resin Dowex 50 WX8 upon calcium absorption and urinary excretion in guinea pigs was investigated. The mean fecal calcium concentration was very close in the Dowex-treated and control animals and the urinary calcium concentration was not reduced in the resin-treated animals. These findings suggest that Dowex was ineffective in binding calcium in the gastrointestinal tract.