Abstract
As a result of a continuing programme to understand better the uric acid stone treatment and prophylaxis, an investigation of the effect of pH and urine dilution on the surface charge of uric acid crystals was undertaken. A microelectrophoretic technique was employed to characterize the nature of the surface charge and the electrokinetics of uric acid crystals both in natural and synthetic urines under different conditions of pH and dilution. Both dilution and alkalization reduced the specific conductance of urine and increased the electrophoretic mobility (zeta potential) of uric acid crystals. The presence of cationic additives in diluted urine altered the zeta potential of uric acid crystals. Such findings suggest that proper control of the pH level and urine dilution as well as the surface charge at the solid-liquid interface represent an important factor in the uric acid stone prophylaxis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Eason, A. A., Sharlip, I. D. Spaulding, J. T.: Dissolution of bilateral uric acid calculi causing anuria.JAMA, 240, 670 (1978).
Hardy, B., Klein, L. A.: In situ dissolution of ureteral calculus.Urology, 8, 444 (1976).
Neto, M., Pilloff, B., Simon, J. A.: Dissolution of renal uric acid calculus with allopurinol and alkalization of urine, a case report.J. Urol., 115, 740, (1976).
Petritsch, P. H.: Uric acid calculi: results of conservative treatment.Urology, 10, 536 (1977).
Ismail, S. I., Tawashi, R.: Effect of the organic matrix on the dissolution of uric acid stones.Eur. Urol., 6, 237 (1980).
Sennet, P., Olivier, J. P.: Colloidal dispersion, electrokinetic effects and the concept of zeta potential. In: Gushee, D. E. (ed.). Chemistry and Physics of Interfaces. American Chemical Society Publication. Washington, D. C. 1965, pp. 74–92.
Gardner, G. L., Doremus, R. H.: Crystal growth inhibitors in human urine; effect of calcium oxalate kinetics.Invest Urol., 15, 478 (1978).
Nash, R. A., Haeger, B. E.: Zeta potential in the development of pharmaceutical suspensions.J. Pharm. Sci., 55, 829 (1966).
Riddick, T. M.: Control of colloidal stability through zeta potential. Zeta-Meter Inc., New York 1968, pp. 320–331.
Zeta-Meter Manual ZM-77, 4th edition. Zeta-Meter Inc., New York 1977.
Gottschalk, C. W., Mylle, M.: Micropuncture study of the mammalian urinary concentrating mechanism: Evidence for the countercurrent theory.Am. J. Physiol., 196, 927 (1959).
Leaf, A., Cotran, R. S.: Renal Pathophysiology. Oxford University Press, New York 1976, pp. 44–47.
Free, A. H., Free, H. M.: Urinalysis in Clinical Laboratory Practice. CRC Press Inc., Cleveland 1975, pp. 13–19.
Boyce, W. H., McKinney, W. M., Long, T. T., Drach, G. W.: Oral administration of methylene blue to patients with renal calculi.J. Urol., 97, 783 (1967).
Van't Riet, B., McKinney, W. M., Brandt, E. A., Currey, A. E., Taylor, D. M.: Dye effects on inhibition and dissolution of urinary calculi.Invest. Urol., 1, 446 (1964).
Rollins, R., Finlayson, B.: Mechanism of prevention of calcium oxalate encrustation by methylene blue and demonstration of the concentration dependence of its action.J. Urol., 110, 459 (1973).
Ahmad, K., Tawashi, R.: Methylene blue as an inhibitor of stone formation.Urol. Res., 6, 77 (1978).
Wein, A. J., Benson, G. S., Raezer, D. M., Mulholland, S. G.: Oral methylene blue and the dissolution of renal calculi.J. Urol., 116, 140 (1976).
Coe, F. L., Kavalach, A. G.: Hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria in patients with calcium nephrolithiasis,N. Engl. J. Med., 291, 1344 (1974).
Meyer, J. L., Bergert, J. H., Smith, L. H.: The epitaxially induced crystal growth of calcium oxalate by crystalline uric acid.Invest. Urol., 14, 115 (1976).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ismail, S.I., Tawashi, R. & Ismail, Z. The effect of pH and urine dilution on the electrophoretic mobility of uric acid crystals. International Urology and Nephrology 17, 3–10 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02089396
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02089396