Preventive effect of pomegranate juice on ESWL-related renal damage in patients with kidney stones

Objective: We aimed to show whether the antioxidant properties of pomegranate juice (PJ) show a protective effect against renal damage associated with oxidative stress caused by Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) in patients who have undergone ESWL for kidney stones.  Material and Methods: Ninety patients who were to undergo ESWL for kidney stones were included in the study and were divided into 3 groups with 30 patients each ESWL. Group 1 (control group) patients received only ESWL treatment. Group 2 (study group) patients were recommended to take 30 ml/kg/day pomegranate juice mixture orally for 2 days before ESWL. Group 3 (placebo group) patients were recommended to take 30 mg/kg/day water orally for 2 days before ESWL. All ESWL-treated patients received 2000 to 2500 shock waves at 18 to 24 in order to measure lipid peroxidation markers showing the DNA lesion associated with oxidative stress and to show tubular damage after ESWL,  Results: There was a statistically significant mean increase of 52.39± 10.49 in 8-Hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels after treatment compared to pre-treatment levels in Group 1 (p<0.01). There was a statistically significant mean increase of 13.16±7.71 and 33.24±12.82 in Groups 2 and 3, respectively (p<0.01; p<0.01, respectively) There was a statistically significant mean increase of 19.20±5.21 in N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) levels after treatment compared to pre-treatment levels in Group 1 (p<0.01). There was a statistically significant mean increase of 3.44±5.21 and 13.07±5.50 in Groups 2 and 3, respectively (p<0.01; p<0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Our study concluded that pomegranate juice (PJ) has protective effects against ESWL-related renal damage. Keywords: Antioxidant, kidney stones, lithotripsy, pomegranate juice.