Various intensity of Proteus mirabilis-induced crystallization resulting from the changes in the mineral composition

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
07:45

Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis

Published on: February 9, 2021

4.1K

Agnieszka Torzewska1, Antoni Różalski1

  • 1Department of Immunobiology of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland.

Acta Biochimica Polonica
|February 6, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Urinary tract infections and infectious stones are linked to urine composition. Increasing mineral concentrations like magnesium, calcium, and phosphate intensifies crystal formation, highlighting diet

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Infectious urolithiasis stems from chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), often caused by urease-positive bacteria like Proteus mirabilis.
  • Bacterial factors (urease, extracellular polysaccharides) and urinary tract environment significantly contribute to infectious stone formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro effect of varying basic mineral concentrations on urine crystallization intensity.
  • To determine the impact of Proteus mirabilis on crystal formation in artificial urine.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an in vitro model with artificial urine of defined chemical composition.
  • Induced crystallization by adding P. mirabilis.
  • Quantified crystallization intensity using spectrophotometric microdilution.
  • Analyzed crystal chemical composition via atomic absorption spectroscopy and colorimetric methods.

Main Results:

  • Elevated concentrations of magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), and phosphate significantly intensified crystallization.
  • Reducing these ion concentrations below physiological levels did not inhibit crystallization.
  • The study did not confirm inhibitory effects of citrate on calcium and magnesium phosphate crystallization.
  • Competitive interactions between calcium, oxalate, and struvite crystal formation were not substantiated.

Conclusions:

  • Urine chemical composition plays a crucial role in infectious stone formation.
  • Dietary modifications are necessary to support the treatment of infectious urolithiasis.
  • Further research into diet-urine composition interactions is warranted for therapeutic strategies.

More Related Videos

High-Throughput Protein Crystallization via Microdialysis06:18

High-Throughput Protein Crystallization via Microdialysis

Published on: March 3, 2023

3.2K
Growing Protein Crystals with Distinct Dimensions Using Automated Crystallization Coupled with In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering09:15

Growing Protein Crystals with Distinct Dimensions Using Automated Crystallization Coupled with In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering

Published on: August 14, 2018

11.1K

Related Concept Videos

Urine Studies I: Urinalysis01:29

Urine Studies I: Urinalysis

Urinalysis is a widely used diagnostic test that analyzes urine's physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics. Healthcare providers use it to detect and monitor various health conditions, including renal disease, urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, and metabolic or systemic disorders.Components of UrinalysisUrinalysis consists of three primary components: physical, chemical, and microscopic examination. Each provides unique insights into the urine sample and, by extension, the...
2.5K
Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization01:25

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

Crystallization is a phase transformation process in which crystals are precipitated from a supersaturated solution or formed from other sources. During crystallization, atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a well-defined, rigid crystal lattice to minimize energy.
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
6.1K
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria01:10

Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria

Recrystallization is a purification technique used to separate impurities from solid compounds. In this technique, no chemical reactions occur. Instead, it exploits physical properties only, specifically, the solubility differences between the desired compound and impurities, either at a single temperature or at different temperatures, and under other selected conditions. The solid-solution equilibrium (solubility equilibrium) of each component in the solution represents a binary phase...
4.8K
Formation of Dilute Urine01:20

Formation of Dilute Urine

The formation of dilute urine is a critical renal adaptation that maintains fluid balance, particularly during periods of high fluid intake. This process primarily involves the juxtamedullary nephrons. By adjusting the permeability of water and ions in response to physiological conditions, the kidneys can either conserve or excrete water, resulting in concentrated or dilute urine.
Filtrate Osmolarity in the PCT
Initially, as the filtrate passes through the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), its...
4.0K
Formation of Concentrated Urine01:23

Formation of Concentrated Urine

There is a gradient of solutes in the interstitial fluid from the renal cortex through the medulla, known as the medullary osmotic gradient. The juxtamedullary nephrons establish and maintain this gradient using countercurrent mechanisms with loops extending deep into the medulla. These nephrons also use countercurrent mechanisms to regulate urine volume and concentration. The interaction between the descending and ascending limbs of the nephron loop creates an osmotic gradient through...
4.5K