Evaluating VDR Gene Expression and Vitamin D3 Levels in Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stone Patients: A Comparative Study with Healthy Controls

Abstract

Kidney stones, also known as urolithiasis, is a urological condition with a high prevalence and recurrence rate, significantly impacting both individual health and the healthcare system. The progress in preventing their recurrence remains limited. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones are the most common type of kidney stone, accounting for over 70% of all cases. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D (VD) are associated with kidney stones in a multidimensional complex relation involving numerous physiological and metabolic pathways. In this study aims to evaluate and compare VDR gene expression and VD3 serum levels in kidney stone patients with healthy controls and investigate the relationships that may interfere with kidney stone formation and recurrence. The central research hypothesis is that an alteration in VDR and VD values in patients with kidney stones affects calcium homeostasis, which plays a role in kidney stone formation. To accomplish this objective, the RT-qPCR method was employed to assess VDR gene expression and serum levels of vitamin D (VD) and calcium in patients with kidney stones. These measurements were then compared with those of healthy individuals. The key findings of the research revealed that VD deficiency was detected in 56% of patients and 7.5% in controls groups, significant differences in vitamin D levels, which were (20.66±7.07) and (33.90±10.40), and VDR gene expression, which were (37.61±32.19) and (10.39±5.07) between patients and healthy controls groups, respectively; suggesting a potential link with Kidney Stone formation, and a good target for treatment developing strategies aiming to maintain healthy calcium metabolism and reduce kidney stone formation risk.