The effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on glomerular and tubular renal functions were determined by serum β2-microglobulin (Sβ2m) and urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2m) estimations in patients with nephrolithiasis. Unilateral treatment was performed in all patients. Urinary and serum creatinine levels were determined according to the method of Yatzidis. Sβ2m and Uβ2m were measured by radioimmunoassay the day before ESWL, on the day of ESWL, and then 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 28 days after treatment. Creatinine clearance, hourly urinary β2m excretion (Uβ2m/h), and tubular reabsorption of β2m (TRβ2m) were calculated. After lithotripsy, significant increases in Uβ2m, Uβ2m/h, and TRβ2m were found (p < 0.001), whereas Sβ2m, serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance values remained unchanged. Uβ2m, Uβ2m/h, and TRβ2m reached their pretreatment values within 7–9 days after ESWL. We concluded that ESWL does not affect the glomerular filtration rate; however, it leads to a transient proximal tubular dysfunction.
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