Urinary stone is a physic-chemical phenomenon. When in a solution the solute concentration reaches a certain level, called the solubility product, this compound precipitates and gives rise to a solid salt. Therefore, we can reproduce this phenomenon in vitro increasing the concentration of some solutes for instance: calcium or phosphate in one solution until they precipitate. However, there are some biological factors which avoid the crystallization of these solutes, these factors such as citrates, which are named crystallization inhibitors, allow that the solute concentration be above its theoretical precipitation concentration or oversaturation concentration.
dear Miguel.. thank you for your answer.. did this super saturated urine lead to precipitate or a real stone? other thing is that why some stones are hard while the others are fragile, and some grows rapidly while others did not.
other question is that why one kidney forms stone while the other did not, in spite the same blood they filtered.
this rises the question about other forces, other than chemical or physical forces.
Crystal growth is a complex issue. To sum it up. Having been formed a crystal, its growth depends on the solute concentration, its size and the spatial structure of the molecule. The factors that lead to crystals growth include factor such as: that the distance between crystal be small and the presence of Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (which acts as a glue).It is more frequently that in the kidney crystals grow in hyperosmolar sites as Henle loop and distal tubules. However, if its surface is healthy there are antiadhesive properties that inhibit this growth by means of the secretion of inhibitory macromolecules such as hyaluronic acid and osteopontin. Lastly, pH has a paramount influence in case of calcium fosfate stones, while calcium concentration is much more important in oxalate stones.
Still there is a hidden part of the scenario.
Thank you for this informative answer
no you can't. you can prepare ca-oxalate crystals but they are not calculi
Thank you Dr. Ayad. this means that there is something that is unique for the body that help in stone formation, and that's the issue that should be discovered.
regards
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