Nanocrystallites in urine and their relationship with the formation of kidney stones

Abstract

Kidney stones are mainly composed of inorganic crystals such as calcium oxalate (CaOxa). At present, kidney stones can be detected only after their formation, which causes great suffering for patients. If kidney stones can be detected prior to their formation, they can be effectively prevented, which presents great commercial value. In this paper, we review the differences in urine nanocrystallites between stone-forming patients and healthy controls, as well as the relationship between nanocrystallites in urine and the formation of kidney stones. These differences are microcrystalline morphology, aggregation, size and distribution, chemical composition, Zeta potential and stability. The results showed that the formation of kidney stones is closely related to the nature of nanocrystallites. Through the regulation of the physical and chemical properties of nanocrystallites, the formation and recurrence of kidney stones are possibly inhibited.

Component analyses of urinary nanocrystallites of uric acid stone formers by combination of high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, fast Fourier transformation, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

“…XRD and FT‐IR are common tools used to identify material components. Previous studies determined the components of urinary nanocrystallites by XRD and FT‐IR [8, 14]. However, the following disadvantages were presented when XRD analysis was conducted.…”

“…Differences in urine nanocrystallites are observed between the stone formers and healthy control subjects. These differences include microcrystallite morphology, aggregation, size and distribution, chemical composition, Zeta potential and stability [14].…”

Formation Mechanism of Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate Stones: A Component Analysis of Urinary Nanocrystallites

“…The formed nucleus (generally less than 10 nm) grows and/or aggregates to a pathological size (several tens of microns). These crystallites are then retained in the urinary tract or fixed by urinary tract organization, forming urinary stones (millimeters to several centimeters) [20]. Therefore, morphological characteristics, composition, and crystal structures of urinary nanocrystallites are important factors of stone formation [21,22].…”

Comparison of Physicochemical Properties of Nano‐ and Microsized Crystals in the Urine of Calcium Oxalate Stone Patients and Control Subjects

“…The formation of kidney stones is closely related to the crystallites in the urine [1][2][3]. The agglomeration and growth of crystallites in urine are two main factors affecting the growth of urinary stone [4].…”