| Abstract: | We previously reported that the low molecular and uronic acid-rich fractions in the urine from calcium oxalate stone formers promoted aggregation of calcium oxalate monohydrate seed crystals. In this study, we have demonstrated that lyophilized material of the fractions contains hyaluronic acid as a sole glycosaminoglycans, as well as acidic amino acid-rich proteins and urinary pigment which is supposed to combine with protein. It is known that hyaluronic acid is present in stone matrix, that calcium containing stones contain proteins rich in acidic amino acids, and that the external color of calcium oxalate monohydrate calculi is usually brownish. These facts correspond with our present results. Therefore, it is suggested that the urinary material promotes the calcium oxalate crystal aggregation, sticks the crystals together and is incorporated into the stone. |
