Abstract

Urolithiasis, the formation of urinary stones, is a prevalent disorder with significant health implications. The etiology of urolithiasis involves various factors, including genetic predisposition, dietary habits, and environmental exposure to heavy metals. This study aimed to investigate the quantification of heavy metals in renal tissue samples obtained from patients in the state of Yucatan, Mexico, and explore their association with urolithiasis.

Renal tissue samples were collected from patients diagnosed with urolithiasis undergoing surgical intervention, and control samples were obtained from non-urolithiasis patients during unrelated surgeries. Inductively Coupled PlasmaMass Spectrometry was utilized to quantify the concentrations of selected heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, in the renal tissue samples. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and correlation analyses, were performed to determine the differences in heavy metal levels between urolithiasis and control groups and to assess their potential associations with urolithiasis.

Preliminary results demonstrated significantly elevated levels of Pb, Cd, and Hg in renal tissue samples from urolithiasis patients compared to control samples. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between the concentrations of these heavy metals and the size and composition of urinary stones in the urolithiasis group. However, no significant difference in as levels was observed between the two groups.