Role of the Gut Microbiota in the Development of Urolithiasis

Abstract

This article aims to review the literature regarding assessment of the gut microbiota effect on kidney stone formation. We sought to determine whether several specific gut bacteria or a wider number of members of the gut microbiota are responsible for this association based on the literature data. We conducted an extensive literature search (publications on kidney stones and gut microbiota dated 2013-2023) in PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science Core Collection.A large number of earlier studies were focused on physical and chemical properties of crystals formed by kidney stones. In recent years as diagnostic technologies advance, there has been a tendency to study the association of the gut microbiota and the development of other unrelated diseases. Studies have emerged showing the gut microbiota effect on the development of urolithiasis, which suggests that stone formation can be prevented or caused by changing the structure of the gut microbiome. However, further research is needed to identify which genera or types of the gut microbiota break down oxalate and reduce the risk of kidney stone formation.