Nutrition and oxalate metabolism in cats

Over the past 30 years, a progressive increase in calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolith prevalence is reported in cats and dogs diagnosed with urolithiasis. This increase in prevalence appears to have occurred since dietary modifications were introduced to address magnesium ammonium phosphate urolithiasis. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis was to provide information on the role of nutrition in the formation of CaOx uroliths in carnivores with emphasis on the influence of diet on urinary oxalate excretion. This objective was reached by conducting the following studies: Following a short general introduction (Chapter 1), the generally accepted dietary risk factors for CaOx urolithiasis were discussed in a literature review (Chapter 2). For one of the risk factors, i.e. oxalate, it was hypothesized that a high carbohydrate intake by today’s feline diet may induce the biosynthesis of oxalate. An epidemiologic study was carried out to obtain more information on the range of urinary oxalate and calcium excretion in CaOx-forming patients (Chapter 3b) and in healthy dogs and cats (Chapter 3a). Within a sample of the (healthy) Dutch dog and cat population, the range in urinary oxalate and calcium excretion was broad and changes in these values were associated with both dietary and animal-related factors including feeding of a raw meat vs. a dry (extruded) diet (Chapter 3a). Hypercalciuria rather than hyperoxaluria appeared to be a predisposing factor for CaOx urolith formation in individual dogs and cats (Chapter 3b). To obtain more detailed information on the relationship between dietary composition and urinary oxalate excretion, a retrospective cohort study was carried out by the use of a large (and unique) data set containing the exact nutrient intake and urinary oxalate excretions by cats kept under controlled conditions (Chapter 4). Intake of nutrients related to intestinal dietary oxalate absorption and endogenous oxalate synthesis were both associated with changes in urinary oxalate excretion; however, a considerable part of the variation was associated with other factors which were not included in the model used. A randomized controlled trial with cats was carried out to research the effect of changes in macronutrient profile on the excretion of endogenous oxalate (Chapter 5). In these cats, dietary macronutrient profile, when corn starch and sucrose were used as the carbohydrate source and casein as the protein source, did not appear to affect endogenous oxalate excretion. In another randomized controlled trial with cats, the effect of dietary hydroxyproline on urinary excretion of endogenous oxalate, as well as the effect of dietary oxalate on exogenous urinary oxalate, was researched (Chapter 6). In these cats, increases in dietary hydroxyproline, but not dietary oxalate intake, were able to increase urinary oxalate excretion. In the last chapter (Chapter 7) an overview of the obtained results, a general discussion and recommendations for future research were provided. Since the contribution of exogenous oxalate to urinary oxalate excretion is likely to be low, it is advised for future studies to focus on reducing endogenous oxalate excretion