Observations on Urinary Chemiluminescence of Normal Smokers and Non-smokers and of Patients with Bladder Cancer

Abstract

Summary A relaitively simple procedure th the measurement of urinary chemiluminesece is descirbed and some of the variable affecting such measurmnt are examined. Normal urinary chemiluminescence is due to a low molecular weight and freely dialysible compound. Addition of blood to urine causes chemiluminescence which is not dialysible. Although there was very considerable overlap between the groups, it was found that urinary chemiluminescence was higher in normal smokers than in normal non‐smokers and higher still in patients with bladder cancer. These results were statistically significant. Considering only bladder cancer patients who were also tobacco smokers, the urinary chemiluminescence was higher when tumour was present than when tumour was absent. Oral distribution of ascorbic acid reduced urinary chemiluminescence of both normal smokers and non‐smokers. There were no significant differences in urinary ascorbic acid levels between normal smokers and non‐smokers, and patients with bladder cancer whether smokers or non‐smokers.

Urinary Chemiluminescence—an Evaluation of its Use in Clinical Practice

“…This study confirms the trends previously reported (Schlegel et al, 1969;Rose and Wallace, 1973). The highest UCLC was in patients with bladder tumours who smoked and the lowest in normal people who were non-smokers (Fig.…”

“…Many of the physiological variables which can affect UCL have been identified and assessed (Rose and Wallace, 1973), but still there are variations due to sex, diurnal change, diet, drugs, trace elements and perhaps other factors as yet unrecognised that have not been fully evaluated and may cause the wide range of results. The physical capabilities of the biometer and in particular the mixing of the reagents are vital to the intensity of the reaction and may be a major source of error.…”

“…The UCL was measured by the Du Pont 760 Luminescence Biometer as described by Schlegel et al (1969) and modified by Rose and Wallace (1973). The machine was standardised by a light source of a known beta emitter, a standard chart recorder was linked to the biometer and the readings of the UCL were taken as the maximal deflection on the recorder after the injection of hydrogen peroxide.…”

“…The rest of the undiluted urine was tested for the presence of haemoglobin by a universal labstix and sent for measurement of the urinary creatinine by Autoanalyser using standard laboratory methods. There is a direct relationship between UCL and dilution (Rose and Wallace, 1973)-thus the measurement of the creatinine enabled the UCL recordings to be corrected to a standard normal urinary creatinine of 10 mmol/l. This then excluded errors due to dilution and the converted UCL was designated UCLC.…”

“…drug history-the intake of vitamin C can suppress the UCL (Rose and Wallace, 1973). The bacteriological, cytological, cystoscopic and histological findings were obtained from the patient's records and correlated with the UCLC estimations.…”