[Research on particle size and size distribution of nanocrystals in urines by laser light scattering method]

In the present paper laser light scattering method was used to investigate the particle size and size distribution of nanoparticles simultaneously in urines of lithogenic patients and healthy persons. This method is economic, rapid, accurate and easy to operate. The results showed that healthy urines are more stable than lithogenic urines. In urines of healthy human, the ultrafine crystals were well scattered and not aggregated with a smaller size. However, the ultrafine crystals in lithogenic urine have a broad size distribution, which increases the aggregation trend of nanocrystals. Based on the intensity-autocorrelation curve, the stability of urine samples of both healthy human and lithogenic patients was comparatively investigated. The relationship between the measurement results and the methods of handling sample was studied. The results show that a stable urine sample can be obtained by diluting the urine with a ratio of 20%, then centrifuging it at 4,000 round per minute for 15 minutes or filtrating it with 1.2 microm cellulose acetate filter. The results of laser light scattering method are consistent with that obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The reasons for the stability of urines are explained from the points of Van der Waals force, urine viscosity, pH value, ionic strength, surface charge and zeta potential of the ultrafine crystals, and so on. The results in this paper provide a new thought for preventing formation and recurrence of urinary stones.