Theobromine Inhibits Uric Acid Crystallization. A Potential Application in the Treatment of Uric Acid Nephrolithiasis

Abstract

PurposeTo assess the capacity of methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine and paraxanthine) to inhibit uric acid crystallization, and to evaluate their potential application in the treatment of uric acid nephrolithiasis.Materials and MethodsThe ability of methylxathines to inhibit uric acid nucleation was assayed turbidimetrically. Crystal morphology and its modification due to the effect of theobromine were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ability of theobromine to inhibit uric acid crystal growth on calculi fragments resulting from extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was evaluated using a flow system.ResultsThe turbidimetric assay showed that among the studied methylxanthines, theobromine could markedly inhibit uric acid nucleation. SEM images showed that the presence of theobromine resulted in thinner uric acid crystals. Furthermore, in a flow system theobromine blocked the regrowth of post-ESWL uric acid calculi fragments.ConclusionsTheobromine, a natural dimethylxanthine present in high amounts in cocoa, acts as an inhibitor of nucleation and crystal growth of uric acid. Therefore, theobromine may be clinically useful in the treatment of uric acid nephrolithiasis.

HPLC method for urinary theobromine determination: Effect of consumption of cocoa products on theobromine urinary excretion in children

“…All these methods allow the simultaneous determination of different methylxanthines, with good recoveries and sensitivities. However, only theobromine, not the other methylxanthines, was found to inhibit the crystallization of uric acid [7], suggesting the need for an easy method, without prior sample pretreatment, to measure urinary theobromine. Our proposed method, involving the direct injection of diluted urine, allows the determination of theobromine with 100% recovery.…”

“…More recently, theobromine was found to inhibit uric acid crystallization, suggesting that it may be useful in the treatment of uric acid nephrolithiasis [7]. Uric acid nephrolithiasis accounts for around 7-10% of all cases of nephrolithiasis [8][9][10][11][12], varying by gender, age and geographical localization [13][14][15][16].…”

The influence of chocolate on human health

“…Teobromina hamuje krystalizację kwasu moczowego, a kryształy powstające w jej obecności są cieńsze i dłuższe, dzięki czemu tworzenie się złogów w nerkach i drogach moczowych jest utrudnione. Teobromina działa jako inhibitor krystalizacji o wysokim potencjale w zapobieganiu i leczeniu klinicznym kamicy moczanowej [97]. Obecnie znajduje też zastosowanie jako lek rozszerzający oskrzela oraz naczynia krwionośne.…”

Çocuklarda Üri̇ner Si̇stem Taş Hastaliği: Tani Ve Tedavi̇ / Urinary System Stone Disease in Children: Diagnosis and Treatment

“…Genelde idiyopatik olmakla birlikte distal renal tubular asidoz, hipopotasemi, hayvansal proteinden zengin beslenme ve bazı ilaçların kullanımına (asetazolamid, topiramat, angiotensin konverting enzim inhibitörleri, tiazid) bağlı olarak da gelişebilmektedir. Primer ya da sekonder hipositratüri ve asidifikasyon bozukluklarının tedavisinde potasyum sitrat kullanılmaktadır (31).…”