Biochemical evaluation of osteopontin and kidney function in patients with kidney stones in Thiqar Governorate

Background: Urolithiasis, or kidney stone disease, is a prevalent and recurrent condition characterized by the formation of crystalline aggregates in the urinary tract. Osteopontin (OPN), a multifunctional glycoprotein involved in biomineralization, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of kidney stones. This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of osteopontin and renal function markers in patients with kidney stones compared to healthy individuals.Methodology: A case-control study was conducted between December 2024 and April 2025, involving 60 patients with confirmed kidney stones and 60 matched healthy controls in Thiqar, Iraq. Demographic data were collected, and serum samples were analyzed for osteopontin, urea, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) using ELISA and Cobas e411 analyzers. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26, with significance set at p?0.05.Results: No significant differences were found in age, sex, BMI, residence, or water source between patients and controls. Calcium oxalate was the most common stone type (44%). Patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of osteopontin (19.35±12.64 vs. 10.06±2.70 ng/mL), urea (45.37±9.25 vs. 29.74±7.54 mg/dL), creatinine (1.15±0.28 vs. 0.97±0.32 mg/dL), and ALP (137.33±36.70 vs. 83.08±15.98 U/L) compared to controls (p<0.01 for all). No significant sex-based differences were observed in the patient group.Conclusions: Elevated serum osteopontin, urea, creatinine, and ALP levels in patients with kidney stones suggest their potential as biomarkers for urolithiasis and renal dysfunction. Osteopontin may play a critical role in stone pathogenesis and could serve as a target for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.