Methods and kits for assessing the propensity of developing urolithiasis, kidney disease, or bladder disease in pets; and compositions to treat such conditions are described herein.

The present disclosure provides methods of treating a subject having a kidney disease or preventing a subject from developing a kidney disease, and methods of identifying subjects having an increased risk of developing a kidney disease.

The present invention provides an urinary crystal detection method, which is used with a crystal collecting unit and a crystal detecting unit. The method comprises steps of using magnetic particles to attach urinary crystals from a sample. Then, providing a magnetic field to separate the urinary crystals. Further to analyz their constituent by the Raman signals of the urinary crystal to access an urinary calculus result for urinary stone patient.

The present invention provides S-methyl-L-ergothioneine for use in diagnosis and/or prognosis. The invention also provides a method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of a renal disease comprising the step of determining the amount of S-methyl-L-ergothioneine in an isolated test sample of a subject, and methods for deciding or recommending whether to initiate a therapeutic intervention or for determining the efficacy of a therapeutic intervention. It is also herein provided ergothioneine for use in the treatment and/or prevention of a renal lithiasis or an aminoaciduria, and ergothioneine for use in combination therapy.

Methods of analyzing a biological sample obtained from the feline subject for the presence of two copies of major allele G of SNP A1_212891692 and/or to the concentration of betaine and/or 2-oxoarginine in the sample are disclosed. The methods are used in methods to identify a feline subject that would benefit from a treatment that reduces risk of calcium oxalate stone formation and in methods of treating a feline subject to reduce risk of calcium oxalate stone formation The treatment on comprises administering to the feline subject a composition that comprises an effective amount of one or more of ingredients selected from the group consisting of betaine, green tea, fenugreek and tulsi. Feline food composition that comprise effective amounts of betaine, green tea, fenugreek and tulsi are disclosed.

Methods for determining whether certain compounds, in particular crystals, are present in a sample of a biological fluid that indicates an individual has a particular disease or condition, such as but not limited to gout, pseudogout or urinary tract stones. In some embodiments, the methods include the steps of digestion and filtration of a sample of synovial fluid in order to isolate, if present, monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), or calcium phosphate crystals from the sample, wherein the filtrate is analyzed with a Raman device to ascertain the presence and type of the crystals. Devices for performing steps of the method are disclosed.

Methods of analyzing a biological sample obtained from the feline subject for the presence of two copies of major allele G of SNP A1_212891692 and/or to the concentration of betaine and/or 2-oxoarginine in the sample are disclosed. The methods are used in methods to identify a feline subject that would benefit from a treatment that reduces risk of calcium oxalate stone formation and in methods of treating a feline subject to reduce risk of calcium oxalate stone formation The treatment on comprises administering to the feline subject a composition that comprises an effective amount of one or more of ingredients selected from the group consisting of betaine, green tea, fenugreek and tulsi. Feline food composition that comprise effective amounts of betaine, green tea, fenugreek and tulsi are disclosed.

The present invention provides an urinary crystal detection method, which is used with a crystal collecting unit and a crystal detecting unit. The method comprises steps of using magnetic particles to attach urinary crystals from a sample. Then, providing a magnetic field to separate the urinary crystals. Further to analyz their constituent by the Raman signals of the urinary crystal to access an urinary calculus result for urinary stone patient.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a composition for inhibiting calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal growth comprising at least one isolated polypeptide comprising a plurality of amino acids that bind the surface of the calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal; and a plurality of amino acids spacers, wherein the amino acid spacers are arranged in varying sequences between the plurality of amino acids that bind the surface of the calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal. In some embodiments, the present disclosure related to a method of controlling calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal growth in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject therapeutically effective amount of the calcium oxalate monohydrate inhibiting polypeptide. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of identifying calcium oxalate monohydrate inhibiting peptides.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a composition for inhibiting calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal growth comprising at least one isolated polypeptide comprising a plurality of amino acids that bind the surface of the calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal; and a plurality of amino acids spacers, wherein the amino acid spacers are arranged in varying sequences between the plurality of amino acids that bind the surface of the calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal. In some embodiments, the present disclosure related to a method of controlling calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal growth in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject therapeutically effective amount of the calcium oxalate monohydrate inhibiting polypeptide. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of identifying calcium oxalate monohydrate inhibiting peptides. Such a method may comprise designing a peptide library of potential calcium oxalate inhibiting peptides; screening the peptide library for high efficacy inhibitor peptides for inhibition of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallization; and conducting molecular characterization of the high efficacy inhibitor to determine specificity.