Abstract: Hyperoxaluria is a chronic disease that is characterized by extremely high levels of urinary oxalate, which can lead to urolithiasis. Urolithiasis is closely associated with the gut microbiome. More recently, particular attention has been paid to lactic acid bacteria for their potential to degrade oxalate, improve urinary oxalate excretion and inhibit stone formation. Strains of lactic acid bacteria with oxalate-degrading activity mainly belong to the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Enterococcus. The degradation of oxalate by lactic acid bacteria may be achieved through a mechanism involving the transportation of oxalate by permease into the cells where it is converted into oxalyl-CoA by formyl-CoA transferase and further into formate and carbon dioxide by oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview on the oxalate-degrading activity of lactic acid bacteria and the underlying mechanism, aiming to provide a useful guidance for the development of fermented products containing lactic acid bacteria.

Key words: gut microbiome, lactic acid bacteria, hyperoxaluria, oxalate-degrading activity, mechanism