Control of calcium oxalate morphology through electrocrystallization as an electrochemical approach for preventing pathological disease

Abstract

Artículo de publicación ISIPathological crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOx) inside the urinary tract is called calculi or kidney stone (Urolithiasis). CaOx exhibits three crystalline types in nature: CaOx monohydrate COM, dihydrate COD and trihydrate COT. COD and COM are often found in urinary calculi, particularly COM. Electrocrystallization has been recently used to perform oriented crystallization of inorganic compounds such as Ca-salts. Although many mineralization methods exist, the mechanisms involved in the control of CaOx polymorphism still remain unclear. Herein, we induced selective electrocrystallization of COD by modifying the electrical current, time and electrochemical cell type. By combining above factors, we established an efficient method without the use of additives for stabilizing non-pathological CaOx crystals. We found notorious stabilization of CaOx polymorphisms with hierarchically complex shape with nano-organization assembly, size and aggregated crystalline particles. Our results demonstrated that, by using an optimized electrochemical approach, this technique could have great potential for studying the nucleation and crystal growth of CaOx through functionalized synthetic polymers, and to develop a novel pathway to evaluate new calculi preventing-compound inhibitors

Effect of Diazotated Sulphonated Polystyrene Films on the Calcium Oxalate Crystallization

“…In Figure 6, it is possible to observe diffraction peaks that are attributable to both COD as COM crystals. However, more intense peaks, detected at 2θ, such as 15 • , 25 • , 30 • and 31 • , correspond to crystal planes {1 0 1}, {2 1 1}, {2 0 2} and {0 2 0} of COM crystals respectively, which confirm what is observed by the above analysis [43,[71][72][73][74]. In general, the use of this kind of functionalized DSPF film as a solid organic template could contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying the formation of biologically important minerals, such as pathological urinary crystal forms, and it is kinetic on surface deposition.…”

Electrocrystallization of CaCO3 Crystals Obtained through Phosphorylated Chitin

“…This is due to the highly conductive capacity of the ITO substrate, which conducts the current previously established in the program at −890 mV in the electrochemical solution, allowing the reduction of oxygen, which generates an increase in the pH value that favors the conversion of bicarbonate to carbonate [39]. It is well known that the ITO substrate represents a conductive material with optoelectronic applications due to its good optical transparency, high conductivity, and electrochemical stability [40]. CaCO 3 crystals obtained with EC method in the presence and absence of Chi-P onto ITO substrate were compared and evaluated through the measurement of current (mA) at different times (min).…”

Biomineralization: From Material Tactics to Biological Strategy

“…Bone is a hierarchical composite material that consists of collagen and minerals. [7c,8,106] Previous studies have suggested that the crystalline relationship between collagen and minerals in the formation of bone is as follows: The calcium and phosphate ions are transferred to minerals within the collagen . Two primary models have been proposed for bone mineralization: Nanocrystals nucleate from solution in the presence of collagen, and matrix vesicles assemble ions from the ECM.…”

“…Two primary models have been proposed for bone mineralization: Nanocrystals nucleate from solution in the presence of collagen, and matrix vesicles assemble ions from the ECM. [1a,7b,109] Rodriguez et al demonstrated that osteoblasts concentrate calcium and phosphate ions to form ACP, which then permeates into the collagen fibrils and crystallizes into HAP …”

“…Importantly, many biologically generated organic matrices play key roles in regulating the formation processes of inorganic materials, including nucleation, crystal growth, phase transformation, orientation and particle assembly . Currently, several biomimetic strategies based on biomineralization are used to repair tooth and prevent pathological diseases . Many biomimetic artificial materials have been synthesized for biological applications, such as silk fibroin and artificial extracellular matrices for hepatic tissue engineering applications .…”