Reduction in urinary oxalate excretion in mouse models of Primary Hyperoxaluria by RNA interference inhibition of liver lactate dehydrogenase activity

The Primary Hyperoxaluria's (PH) are rare autosomal recessive disorders characterized by elevated oxalate production. PH patients suffer recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stone disease, and in severe cases end stage renal disease. Recent evidence has shown that RNA interference may be a suitable approach to reduce oxalate production in PH patients by knocking down key enzymes involved in hepatic oxalate synthesis. In the current study, wild type mice and mouse models of PH1 (AGT KO) and PH2 (GR KO) were treated with siRNA that targets hepatic LDHA. Although siRNA treatment substantially reduced urinary oxalate excretion [75%] in AGT KO animals, there was a relatively modest reduction [32%] in GR KO animals. Plasma and liver pyruvate levels significantly increased with siRNA treatment and liver organic acid analysis indicated significant changes in a number of glycolytic and TCA cycle metabolites, consistent with the known role of LDHA in metabolism. However, siRNA dosing data suggest that it may be possible to identify a dose that limits changes in liver organic acid levels, while maintaining a desired effect of reducing glyoxylate to oxalate synthesis. These results suggest that RNAi mediated reduction of hepatic LDHA may be an effective strategy to reduce oxalate synthesis in PH, and further analysis of its metabolic effects should be explored. Additional studies should also clarify in GR KO animals whether there are alternate enzymatic pathways in the liver to create oxalate and whether tissues other than liver contribute significantly to oxalate production. •siRNA knockdown of hepatic LDHA reduces oxalate synthesis in Primary Hyperoxaluria.•The absence of hepatic LDH activity does not alter urinary oxalate in normal mice.•Liver glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid metabolites are altered with LDH knockdown.