[Stress and urolithiasis].

Stress is a response state of the body which may be evoked by various stimuli. The effect of such stress factors on the quantitative composition of 24-hour urine in young male Wistar rats is examined using short, repetitive, weak electric impulses. Changes in body development and, in particular, of the absolute and relative increases in size and weight of the adrenal glands compared with control groups are used as evidence of the endured stress procedure. Three 24-hour urine groups can be clearly distinguished. While concentrations of calcium and sodium remain unaltered by the adaptation syndrome of the body, the concentrations of potassium and magnesium are clearly reduced during the first days of the stress period compared with the control group. Inorganic phosphorus and uric acid concentrations, however, are markedly increased during the experimental period. The combination of increased uric acid and inorganic phosphorus concentrations and reduced potassium and magnesium levels favors a disposition to urolithiasis since uric acid and inorganic phosphorus are recognized promoters, and potassium and magnesium are known inhibitors, of stone formation.