title: Viburnum opulus: could it be a new alternative, such as lemon juice, to pharmacological therapy in hypocitraturic stone patients?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Citrate, potassium, and calcium levels in Viburnum opulus (V. opulus) and lemon juice were compared to evaluate the usability of V. opulus in mild to moderate level hypocitraturic stone disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  V. opulus and lemon fruits were squeezed in a blender and 10 samples of each of 100 ml were prepared. Citrate, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and pH levels in these samples were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Potassium was found to be statistically significantly higher in V. opulus than that in lemon juice (p = 0.006) whereas sodium (p = 0.004) and calcium (p = 0.008) were found to be lower. There was no difference between them in terms of the amount of magnesium and citrate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because V. opulus contains citrate as high as lemon juice does and it is a potassium-rich and calciumand sodium-poor fluid, it can be an alternative to pharmaceutical treatment in mild-to-moderate degree hypocitraturic stone patients. These findings should be supported with clinical studies.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Urology, University of Kirikkale, Kirikkale. devrimtuglu@gmail.com.
authors: Devrim
authors: D
authors: Tuglu
authors: Erdal
authors: E
authors: Yılmaz
authors: Ercan
authors: E
authors: Yuvanc
authors: Imge
authors: I
authors: Erguder
authors: Ucler
authors: U
authors: Kisa
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Bal
authors: Ertan
authors: E
authors: Batislam
mesh_terms: D001628:Beverages; D002951:Citrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002957:Citrus; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D027925:Viburnum
chemical_list: D002951:Citrates