Heat Stress Nephropathy from Exercise-Induced Uric Acid Crystalluria: A Perspective on Mesoamerican Nephropathy

Carlos Roncal-Jimenez, Ramón García-Trabanino, Lars Barregard, Miguel A. Lanaspa, Catharina Wesseling, Tamara Harra, Aurora Aragón, Felix Grases, Emmanuel R. Jarquin, Marvin A. González, Ilana Weiss, Jason Glaser, Laura G. Sánchez-Lozada, Richard J. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

154 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN), an epidemic in Central America, is a chronic kidney disease of unknown cause. In this article, we argue that MeN may be a uric acid disorder. Individuals at risk for developing the disease are primarily male workers exposed to heat stress and physical exertion that predisposes to recurrent water and volume depletion, often accompanied by urinary concentration and acidification. Uric acid is generated during heat stress, in part consequent to nucleotide release from muscles. We hypothesize that working in the sugarcane fields may result in cyclic uricosuria in which uric acid concentrations exceed solubility, leading to the formation of dihydrate urate crystals and local injury. Consistent with this hypothesis, we present pilot data documenting the common presence of urate crystals in the urine of sugarcane workers from El Salvador. High end-of-workday urinary uric acid concentrations were common in a pilot study, particularly if urine pH was corrected to 7. Hyperuricemia may induce glomerular hypertension, whereas the increased urinary uric acid may directly injure renal tubules. Thus, MeN may result from exercise and heat stress associated with dehydration-induced hyperuricemia and uricosuria. Increased hydration with water and salt, urinary alkalinization, reduction in sugary beverage intake, and inhibitors of uric acid synthesis should be tested for disease prevention.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)20-30
Number of pages11
JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume67
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Central America
  • chronic kidney disease (CKD)
  • dehydration
  • etiology
  • heat stress nephropathy
  • hyperuricemia
  • hypothesis
  • Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN)
  • physical exertion
  • rhabdomyolysis
  • sugarcane workers
  • tubular injury
  • uric acid crystalluria
  • uric acid disorder
  • uricosuria
  • urinary acidification

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nephrology

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