Evening Primrose Oil Supplementation Increases Citraturia and Decreases Other Urinary Risk Factors for Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis

Abstract

To our knowledge increased citraturia has not been previously reported for any essential fatty acid. We hypothesize that evening primrose oil inhibits lipogenesis, thereby decreasing citrate consumption. For the decrease in oxaluria we suggest that evening primrose oil alters membrane fatty acid composition, thereby inhibiting the modulation of protein kinases that lead to hyperoxaluria. In regard to decreased calciuria we suggest that evening primrose oil modulates delta-5 and/or delta-6-desaturase, thereby inhibiting the production of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2, which influence calciuria. The different response in the 2 groups with respect to oxaluria confirms previously reported differences in sensitivity toward supplemental ingestion. Data suggest that evening primrose oil supplementation should be investigated as a possible conservative treatment for calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Effects of vitamin E ingestion on plasma and urinary risk factors for calcium oxalate urolithiasis in two population groups having different stone-risk profiles: evidence of different physiological handling mechanisms

“…2 Mean plasma TBARS in black and white subjects before and after vitamin E ingestion two race groups. This is consistent with several previous studies in which dietary supplements were administered to healthy subjects from the same groups [16][17][18]31]. However, the responses observed in the present study are counterintuitive.…”

“…This is consistent with its role as a hydroperoxide scavenger. A hypothetical mechanism has been previously suggested, by which inhibition of lipogenesis decreases cellular consumption of citrate thereby making more plasma citrate available to filter through the glomerulus, ultimately leading to an increase in citraturia [17]. We speculate that the same mechanism might be occurring in the present study and that this effect might be suppressed in the black group compared to their white counterparts.…”

“…In previous studies, subjects from South Africa's black and white population groups have responded differently to different supplemental challenges [16][17][18]. As such, an investigation of their relative responses to an anti-oxidant is warranted.…”

Recent finding and new technologies in nephrolithiasis: a review of the recent literature

“…Thus citrate dilate lithogenesis promotes urinary alcalinization (reducing uric acid supersaturation) and increases cystine solubility. Citrate supplementation plays a fundamental role particularly in patients with hypocitraturia, which constitutes 20% of all stone formers [12,18,19]. Various citrate preparations (sodium potassium citrate, potassium citrate, potassium magnesium citrate, potassium bicarbonate, and sodium bicarbonate) were known to reduce the risk in stone-former patients.…”

Development of Highly Sensitive Analytical Method for Evaluation of Evening Primrose Oil’s Enhancing Effect in Prostaglandin E 1 (OP 1206) Biosynthesis

“…Oil extracted from evening primrose has long been used to treat eczema, asthma, rheumarthritis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menopausal symptoms, and every substance found in the extracted oil is known to be anti-inflammatory (Wettasinghe et al, 2002). The oil extracted from the seeds of evening primrose has a high content of Y-linolenic acid (about 10%, w/w) and about 1% linolenic acid, a precursor of prostaglandin, which has been reported to be effective in treating a variety of diseases (Rodgers et al, 2009). In addition, prostaglandins extracted from various medicinal plants (Zimmerman and Feng, 1978) are bioactive, and thus have been used as an active ingredient in medicines through Harrison and Plosker, 2007).…”