Acute lead (Pb) exposure increases calcium oxalate crystallization in the inner medullary collecting duct, and is ameliorated by Ca/Mg-ATPase inhibition, as well as Capa receptor and SPoCk C knockdown in a Drosophila melanogaster model of nephrolithiasis.

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones accumulate within the renal tubule due to high concentrations of insoluble deposits in the urine. Pb-induced Ca mobilization along with Pb-induced nephrotoxic effects within the proximal tubule have been well established; however, Pb mediated effects within the collecting duct remains insufficiently studied. Thus in vitro and ex vivo model systems were treated with increasing concentrations of lead (II) acetate (PbAc) ± sodium oxalate (NaCO) for 1 h, both individually and in combination.