Urates in uric acid renal calculi

Objectives:   To investigate the presence of calcium urate, sodium, potassium and calcium in 'pure' uric acid calculi.
Methods:   Ten spontaneously passed uric acid urinary calculi have been examined by stereoscopic microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-Ray analysis.
Results:   The analysis of selected uric acid calculi revealed the presence of a near-pure calcium urate in two cases and of calcium enriched urate zones in all of the samples. Furthermore, in some cases complex urates containing sodium, potassium and calcium in different proportions appeared on the surface of the uric acid calculi studied, potassium being generally predominant. Ammonium urate was not detected.
Conclusions:   Most urinary uric acid calculi are not pure in composition. 'Complex urates', sodium, potassium and calcium were found together in various proportions in many areas of uric acid stones.     

草酸钙结石患者尿中蛋白结合型γ-羧基谷氨酸的检测意义

目的　探讨含γ 羧基谷氨酸 (Gla)蛋白质及其Gla残基在尿石形成中的作用。　方法　采用过饱和结晶法从新鲜尿液中提取草酸钙晶体基质 ,高效液相色谱法 (HPLC)测定 2 5例草酸钙结石患者尿液和提取的晶体基质中蛋白结合型Gla含量。　结果　草酸钙结石患者尿蛋白结合型Gla浓度为 (1.32± 0 .2 4)nmol/ml,2 4h尿含量为 (2 .0 4± 0 .6 5 ) μmol,显著低于正常人 ;草酸钙结石患者尿液提取的晶体基质中蛋白结合型Gla含量亦显著低于正常人。　结论　草酸钙结石患者尿液中蛋白结合型Gla含量较少 ,尿液含Gla蛋白质的羧基化程度低下可能是结石形成的重要原因之一。     

Physicochemical metabolic characteristics for calcium oxalate stone formation in patients with gouty diathesis

PURPOSE: We determined why calcium oxalate stones instead of uric acid stones form in some patients with gouty diathesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gouty diathesis was diagnosed from absence of secondary causes of uric acid stones or low urinary pH, and reduced fractional excretion of urate with discriminant score of the relationship between urinary pH and fractional excretion of urate less than 80. From the stone registry 163 patients with gouty diathesis were identified, including 62 with uric acid stones (GD + UA) and 101 patients with calcium oxalate stones (GD + Ca). Metabolic data and 24-hour urinary chemistry study were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Compared with GD + UA, GD + Ca had significantly greater urinary calcium (196 +/- 96 mg per day vs 162 +/- 82 mg per day, p <0.05) and significantly lower urinary citrate (430 +/- 228 vs 519 +/- 288 mg per day, p <0.05), resulting in higher urinary saturation of calcium oxalate. Both groups had low urinary pH (less than 5.5) and high urinary undissociated uric acid (greater than 100 mg/dl). Urinary calcium post-oral calcium load was significantly higher in GD + Ca than in GD + UA (0.227 vs 0.168 mg/dl glomerular filtrate, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium oxalate stones may form in some patients with gouty diathesis due to increased urinary excretion of calcium and reduced excretion of citrate. Relative hypercalciuria in GD + Ca may be due to intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium.     

Rare calcium oxalate monohydrate calculus attached to the wall of the renal pelvis

Most renal calculi can be classified using well‐established criteria in a manner that reflects both composition and fine structure under specific pathophysiological conditions. However, when a large patient population is considered, rare renal calculi invariably appear, some of which have never been classified; careful study is required to establish stone etiology in such cases. The patient in the present case report formed two types of calculi. One was attached on the wall of the renal pelvis near the ureter and part of the calculus was embedded inside pelvic renal tissue. The calculus developed on an ossified calcification located in the pelvis tissue. Current knowledge on the development of calcification in soft tissues suggests a pre‐existing injury as an inducer of its development. A mechanism of calculus formation is proposed. The second stone was a typical jack‐stone calculus.     

Effects of sodium urate and uric acid crystals on the crystallization of calcium oxalate

Summary Crystallization of calcium oxalate in the presence of uric acid and sodium urate crystals was analyzed in a metastable crystallization system containing calcium chloride and sodium oxalate (A), in urine highly supersaturated with respect to calcium oxalate (B), and in urine with a high level of metastable supersaturations (C). In system A uric acid crystals in concentrations up to 11.4 mMol/l did not affect calcium oxalate crystallization, neither did sodium urate during the first 6 h in concentrations below 5 mMol/l. In system B neither uric acid nor sodium urate crystals affected calcium oxalate crystallization. However, an increased rate of crystallization was observed with both uric acid and sodium urate in system C, but the effect was less pronounced than with calcium oxalate seed. Urine pre-treated with sodium urate and subsequently analyzed in system A in a concentration of 2%, gave a slightly lower inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal growth. Concerning the crystal size distribution in the same system, larger crystals were observed in several urines pre-treated with uric acid and sodium urate.     

Glycosaminoglycans,uric acid and calcium oxalate urolithiasis

Summary The interaction between calcium and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) was studied using a calcium ion-selective electrode. The Ca-binding capacity of GAGs involved 16% of total calcium in the presence of chondroitin sulphate and 28% in the presence of pentosan polysulphate. The action of GAGs on the nucleation of uric acid and sodium urate was examined and inhibitory effects were observed. The action of uric acid as a heterogeneous nucleant of calcium oxalate was studied, and considerable promotion of the heterogeneous nucleation of calcium oxalate by uric acid was found, which could be inhibited by the action of GAGs. From these summarised in vitro results, we conclude that uric can constitute an important risk factor for calcium oxalate urolithiasis through heterogeneous nucleation and the GAGs can play an important role as preventive agents.     

Conversion of calcium oxalate to calcium phosphate with recurrent stone episodes

PURPOSE: We have extended our previous observation that the percent occurrence of calcium oxalate stones decreased while that of calcium phosphate stones increased with each new stone event. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National VA Crystal Identification Center has analyzed veteran patient urinary tract stones from VA hospitals throughout the United States since 1983. We reviewed the composition of 33,198 stones with emphasis on the changes in composition. More than 11,786 stones came from 5,088 recurrent stone formers. Stones were analyzed using high resolution x-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic techniques. When the stones were investigated as a function of time, it was determined that there was greater variability when samples were more than 30 days apart. RESULTS: The percent occurrence of whewellite, weddelite, apatite, brushite and uric acid in stones increased between 1.0% and 5.9% since our previous study. The percent occurrence of struvite decreased by 2.6%. The percent of calcium oxalate stones decreased while that of calcium phosphate stones increased with each new event. However, the total percent occurrence of all calcium containing stones did not significantly change with recurrent stone events. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a strong trend for the conversion of stone disease from calcium oxalate to calcium phosphate containing stones, which could influence the progression and severity of disease.     

Mechanism of calcium oxalate renal stone formation and renal tubular cell injury

Abstract:   Formation of calcium oxalate stones tends to increase with age and begins from the attachment of a crystal formed in the cavity of renal tubules to the surface of renal tubular epithelial cells. Though most of the crystals formed in the cavity of renal tubules are discharged as is in the urine, in healthy people, crystals that attach to the surface of renal tubular epithelial cells are thought to be digested by macrophages and/or lysosomes inside of cells. However, in individuals with hyperoxaluria or crystal urine, renal tubular cells are injured and crystals easily become attached to them. Various factors are thought to be involved in renal tubular cell injury. Crystals attached to the surface of renal tubular cells are taken into the cells ( crystal–cell interaction ). And then the crystal and crystal aggregates grow, and finally a stone is formed.     

高血糖在高草酸尿环境下促进肾草酸钙结石形成的机制研究

目的通过细胞及动物实验,探究高血糖促进草酸钙结石形成的机制。方法八周龄Wistar雄性大鼠(共40只)随机分为4组:阴性对照组、高草酸尿模型组,高血糖模型组,高血糖合并高草酸尿模型组;每组10只。采用q RT-PCR检测在含有不同浓度葡萄糖培养基下HK2细胞中OPN、MCP-1、Cbfa1、BMP-2 m RNA的表达;酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)检测OPN与MCP-1在培养基中的浓度;钙盐染色检测各组大鼠肾组织中草酸钙结石晶体;细胞凋亡试验检测各组大鼠肾组织中肾小管上皮细胞凋亡。免疫组织化学染色法(IHC)检测OPN在各组大鼠肾组织中的表达;ELISA检测MCP-1在各组大鼠24小时尿液中的含量。结果高浓度葡萄糖环境中,HK-2细胞的OPN与MCP-1表达上调。高血糖合并高草酸尿模型组肾组织中有大量草酸钙沉积,大量肾小管上皮细胞凋亡,OPN表达显著增加,其尿液中MCP-1总量明显增加,与其他组相比有统计学差异(P0.05)。结论高血糖能促使肾小管上皮细胞炎症趋化因子OPN、MCP-1表达增加。在高草酸尿环境中,高血糖能促进肾小管上皮细胞凋亡及草酸钙结石形成。高血糖可能是通过炎症趋化因子加重局部炎症反应,促进肾小管上皮细胞凋亡及草酸钙结石形成。     

Influence of gender and age on calcium oxalate crystal growth inhibition by urine from relatives of stone forming patients

PURPOSE: We define the relationships between urine inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal growth and age, gender, urine chemistries and stone formation among relatives of calcium stone forming patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected 24-hour urine samples from 366 first degree relatives of calcium stone formers. Calcium oxalate crystal growth inhibition was studied using a constant amount of dialyzed urine protein in a seeded crystallization system. Standard stone risk measurements were also performed on the urine, including supersaturation for calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and uric acid. RESULTS: By multivariate analysis crystal growth inhibition is strongly inversely related to the amount of protein excreted per day, and the age of the subject. When corrected for protein excretion and age, urine proteins from nonstone forming male subjects inhibited crystal growth more strongly than those from corresponding female subjects. Among stone formers the sex difference was not present. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal growth is influenced by a complex combination of gender, age, stone formation and assay conditions. The effect of daily protein excretion is most likely a consequence of using a fixed amount of urine protein per assay. The influence of age is significant and unexplained, with the urine of young people (less than 20 years) demonstrating a vigorous ability to inhibit crystallization. In addition, the urine of nonstone forming male relatives appears to have a greater ability to inhibit crystallization than that of nonstone forming female relatives. Further use of this assay in clinical investigations must take age and gender into proper account.     

Decreased renal expression of the putative calcium oxalate inhibitor Tamm-Horsfall protein in the ethylene glycol rat model of calcium oxalate urolithiasis

PURPOSE: Tamm-Horsfall protein is believed to inhibit calcium oxalate crystallization, aggregation or adhesion to the renal epithelium. We determined whether ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis changes the expression of renal and urinary Tamm-Horsfall protein. For comparison the expression of another calcium oxalate inhibitor, osteopontin, was also analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were treated with 0.75% ethylene glycol plus an AIN-76 diet (Dyets, Bethlehem Pennsylvania) (ethylene glycol group) or standard rat chow and water (control group) for up to 8 weeks (6 per group for 8 weeks and 3 per group for 3 days to 6 weeks). Kidneys and urine (8 weeks only) were harvested and analyzed by Northern and Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Tamm-Horsfall protein message and protein (membrane bound form) were decreased, while those of osteopontin were increased in the kidneys of rats treated with ethylene glycol for 8 weeks. As judged by immunochemistry Tamm-Horsfall protein and osteopontin were consistently present in a few tubules in rats in the ethylene glycol and control groups, respectively. In urine expression of the free form of Tamm-Horsfall protein (approximately 75 kDa.) was decreased but detectable in ethylene glycol treated rats. Although readily detected in tissue, osteopontin was not detected in the urine of control or ethylene glycol treated rats. In the time course experiment Tamm-Horsfall protein did not decrease until 4 weeks, when calcium oxalate crystals were detectable in the kidneys of treated rats. In contrast, osteopontin was increased, although inconsistently, beginning at 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike other calcium oxalate inhibitors, such as osteopontin, renal message and protein for Tamm-Horsfall protein was decreased in ethylene glycol treated rats. Tamm-Horsfall protein expression did not decrease until aggregates of crystals had been deposited in the kidneys, while osteopontin expression began to increase almost immediately. Comparisons of the data on kidneys and urine obtained by RNA or protein blot analysis and immunochemistry underscore the need to examine tissue and urine by multiple techniques to obtain the most accurate assessment of how protein expression is changed by a given treatment.     

人尿和草酸钙结石中肾钙素的提取及理化性质的研究

用改良的Ｎａｋａｇａｗａ法从正常人尿，草酸钙结石病人尿及草酸钙结石中提取并纯化出肾钙素（Ｎｅｐｈｒｏｃａｌｃｉｎ，ＮＣ）尿ＮＣ分子量（ＭＷ）１７７００。草酸钙结石中ＮＣ为１６４００。双向电泳结果表明，ＮＣ的等电点（ＰＩ）范围４．５～６．５，这说明ＮＣ是一组分子量接近而等电点不同物质的集合体，且结石病人尿ＮＣ分子结构的差别比正常人大，氨基酸分析结果表明结石病人尿ＮＣ和结石ＮＣ都缺少γ－羧基谷氨酸（Ｇ     

草酸钙结晶-肾小管细胞损伤机制研究进展

草酸钙是肾结石中最常见的化学成分。肾钙盐结晶是草酸钙结石形成的关键步骤之一,而近年来研究发现肾钙盐结晶形成与肾小管上皮细胞损伤密切相关。本文就草酸钙结石形成和肾小管上皮细胞损伤相互作用机制方面进行综述。     

Distribution of organic matrix in calcium oxalate renal calculi

Summary The quantity of protein and carbohydrate comprising the matrix of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) renal stones was found to decrease with distance from the surface of the stone. The average organic concentration of stones 3 to 30 mm in diameter ranged from 5.7% at the surface to 2.7% at the core. This concentration gradient suggests matrix involvement in a “growth front” on stone surfaces with migration of organic material from the “older” interior. The matrix distribution was not readily correlated with density variations or with the presence of hydroxyapatite or calcium oxalate dihydrate. Surface matrix concentrations were greater than amounts predicted by physical adsorption. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of the organic-rich surface layer and also suggested that increase in stone size occurs predominantly by crystal growth with microcrystal aggregates as growth centers.     

Intestinal oxalate absorption is higher in idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formers than in healthy controls: measurements with the [(13)C2]oxalate absorption test

PURPOSE: We assessed the importance of oxalate hyperabsorption for idiopathic calcium oxalate urolithiasis, oxalate absorption in healthy volunteers and recurrent calcium oxalate stone formers was compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The [(13)C2]oxalate absorption test, a standardized, radioactivity-free test, was performed. On 2 days 24-hour urine was collected and an identical standard diet containing 800 mg Ca daily was maintained. On the morning of day 2 a capsule containing 0.37 mmol sodium [(13)C2]oxalate was ingested. A total of 120 healthy volunteers (60 women and 60 men) and 120 patients (30 women and 90 men) with idiopathic CaOx urolithiasis (60% or greater CaOx) were tested. RESULTS: Mean intestinal oxalate absorption in the volunteers was 8.0 +/- 4.4%, and in the patients was 10.2 +/- 5.2% (p <0.001). There was no significant difference in mean absorption values between men and women within both groups. A high overlap between the absorption values of volunteers and patients was found. Only in the patient group did absorption values greater than 20% occur. Oxalate absorption correlated with oxalate excretion in the patients, r = 0.529 (p <0.01) and in the volunteers, r = 0.307 (p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In high oxalate absorbers dietary oxalate has a significant role in oxalate excretion and, therefore, increases the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation.     

Impact of various modifiers on calcium oxalate crystallization

OBJECTIVE: This work focuses on the behavior of in vitro calcium oxalate crystallization. The effects of several compounds on the kinetics of calcium oxalate crystallization were examined. METHODS: Rates of nucleation and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals were derived from 30-min time-course measurements of optic density at 620 nm after mixing solutions containing calcium chloride and sodium oxalate at 37 degrees C, pH 5.7. The maximum increase of optic density with time, termed S(N), mainly reflects maximum rate of formation of new particles and thus crystal nucleation. After equilibrium has been reached, optic density decreases. No new particles were formed due to crystal aggregation. S(A) (the maximum slope of decrease of optic density at 620 nm with time, representing crystal aggregation) is derived from the maximum decrease in optic density. RESULTS: Among the modifiers studied, citrate decreased both S(N) and S(A) (P < 0.001). Magnesium was also found to inhibit the rate of nucleation and crystal aggregation, but it appeared in a non-concentrated manner. Nucleation and aggregation inhibition ratios were related inversely to concentration of albumin (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The growth and agglomeration of calcium oxalate crystals are differently modulated by various compounds. The treatments aiming at inhibiting crystallization of calcium oxalate can be better defined by these findings. And new treatment modalities can be developed.     

A contribution to the formation mechanism of calcium oxalate urinary calculi

Summary The influence of magnesium in vitro on the precipitation of calcium oxalate was investigated. Even at maximum physiological magnesium concentrations a litholytic effect could not be observed, but the retardation of the calcium oxalate crystallization caused by magnesium might be decisive for a reduction in calculi formation. The enlargement of the calcium oxalate crystals and aggregates caused by the retardation of crystallization, however, should be regarded as a contraindicating factor for Mg therapy in oxalate calculous disease. It is safe to say that high magnesium concentrations prevent the conversion into Whewellite of the calcium oxalate calculi substance primarily formed as Weddellite.     

Role of Oxalobacter formigenes in preventing calcium oxalate kidney stones

Objective To screen Oxalobacter formigenes (OxF) from fresh feces of healthy adults, and study its effect on the the prevention of calcium oxalate kidney stones. Methods OxF was screened and cultured from fresh feces of healthy adults. The rat model of calcium oxalate stone was established by esophageal gavage of 0.8% of ethylene glycol. Rats were divided into a control group and four groups of rats with ethylene glycol-induced calcium oxalate kidney stones according to random number table. Three groups were treated with 106 CFU, 107 CFU, 108 CFU viable OxF every day, respectively, for 4 weeks. The blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected to detect the serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, serum and urine calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and urine oxalate every week. At the end of the 4th week, the rats were sacrificed and the kidney tissues were stained with HE and Yasue. The deposition and content of calcium oxalate crystals were observed under a light microscope. Results The bacteria strain isolated from fresh feces of healthy adults was 100% as same as the known ATCC35274 bacteria strain, which means the strain screened is OxF. Among the 5 groups, there were no significant differences in body weight, Scr, BUN, serum calcium, blood magnesium, blood phosphorus, urinary magnesium and urinary phosphorus. The 24-hour urinary calcium excretion in the model group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P＜0.05). After intervention with OxF solution, the 24-hour urinary calcium excretion in the 108 CFU OxF group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P＜0.05), while there was no significant difference between the other intervention groups and the model. The oxalic acid excretion of 106 CFU OxF group and 107 CFU OxF group was lower than that of the model, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P＞0.05). The 24 h oxalic acid excretion in the 108 CFU OxF group was significantly lower than that of the model at the end of first week (P＜0.05), and continued to decrease for the next 3 weeks. After 4 weeks of intervention, no crystal formation was observed in the control group under the deflection microscope, but a large amount of calcium oxalate crystals were formed in the renal cortex and renal medulla. The crystals were piled up and connected to each other. Yasue staining coincided with the calcium oxalate crystal in the same part of the kidneys. Compared with the model, there was no significant change in the score of calcium oxalate crystal in the kidneys of 106 CFU OxF group and 107 CFU OxF group, while the score of calcium oxalate crystal in the kidneys of 108 CFU OxF group was significantly lower (P＜0.05). Conclusions OxF are successively screened from healthy adults. Daily administration of 108 CFU OxF can safely and effectively reduce the urinary oxalic acid excretion, prevent the formation of calcium oxalate crystals and inhibit the formation of stones in kidneys of rats.     

The role of glycoproteins in calcium oxalate crystal development

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a glycoprotein (mucine) on calcium oxalate crystal development in different conditions and situations, to clarify some of its possible effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crystallization was assessed using a batch system in presence of mucine suspensions, by kinetic-turbidimetric measurements, and using a flow system in the presence of retained agglomerates of mucine, evaluating the precipitated calcium oxalate. RESULTS: In batch conditions low mucine concentrations (<15 mg/L) inhibited calcium oxalate nucleation and higher concentrations (<250 mg/L) inhibited calcium phosphate nucleation, whereas at high concentrations there was also promotion. The presence of an aggregate of mucine in the flow system provoked calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallization at 0.691 microg/h per mg of mucine. In flow conditions pyrophosphate at 11.5 micromol/L caused a decrease of 84% in the calcium oxalate crystallized on mucine, 1.32 mmol/L of citrate a decrease of a 83%, 20 mg/L of pentosan polysulphate a decrease by 80%, and 7.58 micromol/L phytate totally prevented the crystallization of calcium oxalate on mucine. CONCLUSION: All substances inhibiting calcium oxalate crystallization with the capacity to interact with calcium ions also have crystallization promoting properties when they are at sufficiently high concentrations, because of their capacity to form agglomerates or the insolubility of their calcium salts.     

The urinary response to an oral oxalate load in recurrent calcium stone formers

PURPOSE: Dietary oxalate may contribute up to 50% to 80% of the oxalate excreted in urine. We studied the urinary response to an oral oxalate load in male and female idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stone formers with and without mild hyperoxaluria to evaluate the potential pathophysiological significance of dietary oxalate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 recurrent calcium stone formers underwent an oral oxalate load test. Urine samples were obtained after an overnight fast. Each patient then received an oral oxalate load (5 mM. sodium oxalate dissolved in 250 ml. distilled water) and 3, 2-hour urine samples were obtained 2, 4 and 6 hours after the oxalate load. We compared the response to the oxalate load in patients with and without mild hyperoxaluria, and in male and female patients without hyperoxaluria. RESULTS: The peak urinary response occurred 4 hours after the oral oxalate load in all patients. Those with mild hyperoxaluria had a mean fasting urinary oxalate-to-creatinine ratio +/- SE of 0.027 +/- 0.003 and a mean peak urinary oxalate-to-creatinine ratio of 0.071 +/- 0.006. In comparison, patients with normal oxalate excretion had a fasting and peak urinary oxalate-to-creatinine ratio of 0.018 +/- 0.001 and 0.056 +/- 0.004, respectively (p <0.05). The mean 6-hour increment for urinary oxalate excretion after the oxalate load for patients with hyperoxaluria versus those with normal urinary oxalate excretion was 17.2 +/- 1.9 versus 12.1 +/- 0.98 mg. (p <0.05). In the subset of patients with normal urinary oxalate excretion mean 6-hour cumulative urinary oxalate excretion was 16.8 +/- 1.3 and 13.3 +/- 1.4 mg. in males and females, respectively (p not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent calcium stone formers with mild hyperoxaluria have higher fasting urinary oxalate and an exaggerated urinary response to an oral oxalate load compared with recurrent calcium stone formers with normal urinary oxalate excretion. Men and women stone formers without hyperoxaluria excrete similar fractions of an oral oxalate load. Increased gastrointestinal absorption and renal excretion of dietary oxalate may be a significant pathophysiological mechanism of stone formation in patients with mild hyperoxaluria.