| Abstract: The property change of urine crystallites of calcium oxalate stone patients before and after taking potassium citrate (K3cit) were comparatively studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and ζ potential analyzer. The properties including the morphology, particle size, state of aggregation, quantity, composition and ζ potential of urinary crystallites. The change of stability and pH value of urines were also investigated. Before taking K3cit, the edges and corners of urine crystallites were sharp with significant aggregation. Their particle size was ranging from tens of nanometers to several hundreds of micrometers. The main composition was calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), uric acid and so on. While after taking K3cit for one week, some of urine crystallites became blunt, the aggregated crystallites and the average size were obviously reduced, some hollows appeared on the surface of the crystallites, the percent of calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) and urate increased, the number of compositions and quantity of urine crystallites were reduced, and the urinary pH and the absolute value of ζ potential increased. The mechanism of how K3cit inhibiting the formation of calcium oxalate stone was discussed from the point of the rise of urinary pH, the increase of excretion of citric acid and TH protein, and the coordination between citric acid and Ca2+ ions etc. |
