Effects of oxalate and citrate on kidney stone formation

Oxalate and Citrate in Humans

Not applicable Interventional University of Chicago · NCT05334979

This study tests how drinking a special beverage with oxalate affects kidney stone formation in people and whether diet plays a big role in this process.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Chicago Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT05334979 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how dietary oxalate and citrate influence the likelihood of forming kidney stones. Participants will consume a special drink containing sodium oxalate, and researchers will measure the fractional excretion of oxalate and citrate in urine. The goal is to determine whether the relationship between these compounds is primarily dietary or influenced by other factors. The findings could inform dietary recommendations for kidney stone prevention and guide future research on alkali supplementation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18-70 with a history of calcium-based kidney stones or healthy individuals with no history of kidney stones.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of uric acid, cysteine, or struvite stones may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved dietary guidelines for preventing kidney stones.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this study is novel, similar dietary interventions have shown promise in managing kidney stone formation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Stone formers:

* Age 18-70
* History of at least one calcium-based kidney stone

Non-stone formers (controls):

* Age 18-70
* No history of kidney stone
* 24-hour urine oxalate within lab normal (\<50mg/day)

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of primarily uric acid, cysteine, or struvite stones.
* History of severe acid-base abnormality, very low (less than 100mg/day) or very high (greater than 1500mg/day) urine citrate.
* Any controls or stone-forming participants who cannot stop diuretic medication or alkali supplementation for the course of the study period.
* Non-stone formers and stone-formers with extreme levels of urine citrate will be excluded from this small initial study to reduce heterogeneity and remove focus from the extremes of citrate levels.

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Kidney StoneNormal Controls
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.