[The use of mercapto-propionyl-glycine in the treatment of cystine lithiasis (author's transl)].

The authors report the first results of the use of mercaptopropionyl-glycine (M.P.G.) in the solubilising and preventive treatment of cystine lithiasis. This substance results in the formation of a soluble cystine M.P.G. complex. It increases the solubility of cystine much more than D-penicillinamine. Twenty one cases of cystinuric cystine lithiasis were treated in this way, combined with forced diuresis, alkalinisation of the urine and uricolytic treatment. In 4 of their 21 patients, calculi disappeared completely, whilst in another 3 they decreased in size. Recurrence of lithiasis was avoided in 20 patients out of 21. These impressive results are similar to those in the brief literature concerned with the substance. Toxicity is virtually nil and its efficacy make this the drug par excellence for cystine lithiasis.