BACKGROUND: Urinary oxalate and citrate are the key
factors in caox urolithiasis of cats and Gamma Glutamyl
Transferase is a good test for assessment of kidney damage.
Favorable effects of Cynodon dactylon on calcium oxalate stone
formation have recently been proved in rats. OBJECTIVES: The
present study was designed to investigate the alteration of
urinary oxalate, citrate, and GGT after administration of the
hydroalcoholic extract of Cynodon dactylon to experimental
hyperoxaluric cats. No scientific study has been done so far to
demonstrate the beneficial effect of this plant in cats. METHODS:
13 mature male cats were randomly divided into 3 groups: group
Areceived standard diet and drinking water while, group B and
C also received ethylene glycol at sub-toxic dose (130 mg/kg)
daily for 30 days. Group C received hydroalcoholic extract of
C.dactylon (400 mg/kg) from day 0 to 30, as well. Urine samples
were collected on days 0, 15, and 30 and were analyzed for
oxalate, citrate, and GGT levels. RESULTS: Urine oxalate level
in group B was significantly higher than group C on days 15 and
30. Urinary citrate excretion was significantly higher in group C
compared to the other groups on day 15; however, it decreased
during the entire experiment in groups B and C. Urinary Gamma
Glutamyl Transferase level was increased in hyperoxaluric cats
and decreased in the treated group during the experiment.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, C.dactylon extract could
reduce the hyperoxaluria and has beneficial effects on
preventing the renal damage in cats. Such findings provide a
scientific explanation for applying C.dactylon in prevention and
possible treatment of CaOx kidney stones in cats and humans.