Metabolic Studies to Formulate Prevention and Treatment Strategies for Ammonium Urate Nephrolithiasis in Navy Dolphins
Abstract
Project Abstract: Ammonium urate (NH?U) nephrolithiasis is an ongoing health concern for the Navy dolphin population, as it impacts mission critical readiness through increased morbidity and mortality. Comprehensive metabolic and epidemiologic studies conducted by our group have shown that Navy dolphins are at an increased risk of NH?U nephrolithiasis, due in part to a marked increase in urinary ammonium (NH??), uric acid and pH following a typical fish meal, with creates a favorable urinary environment for the precipitation of the sparingly soluble NH?U salt and subsequent stone formation. Unlike Navy dolphins, wild dolphins do not have the same propensity for stone formation; therefore, it has become critical to understand key differences between wild and Navy dolphin urine physicochemistry. These include the different fish types and foraging strategies of wild dolphins, the potential differences in increased urinary inhibitors and promoters of stone formation, and the significantly higher levels of citrate in wild dolphin urine as compared to Navy dolphin urine. To determine how these fundamental differences can help formulate effective treatment and prevention strategies, we propose to test the following three hypotheses: 1) to explore the role of food frequency and fish type on dolphins urinary physicochemistry and the kidney stone risk factors for stone formation, 2) to explore the role of inhibitors and promoters in the kidney stone formation in Navy dolphins as compared to wild dolphins, and 3) to optimize the effect of combined potassium citrate and citrate acid treatment as an effective countermeasure against kidney stone disease in Navy animals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512327
Entities
People
- Cynthia Smith
Organizations
- National Marine Mammal Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy