The effect of verapamil and thiazide in the prevention of renal stone formation.

The effect of the calcium antagonist verapamil, and of thiazide, a well accepted treatment in the prevention of calcium oxalate renal stones, were examined in an experimental renal stone model. Calcium oxalate stones were induced by the synthetic metabolite of vitamin D3, the alpha-OH-vitamin D3 plus ethylene glycol fed rats. A significant decrease in urinary calcium and oxalate was observed following verapamil treatment. Thiazide significantly decreased urinary calcium, but unlike verapamil, did not decrease urinary oxalate. However, no differences in the radiological findings or in the calcium or magnesium content of the kidneys were observed. Although several animal models have been described for the study of calcium oxalate stones, none has yet been proven useful for the evaluation of stone therapy.