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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Published on: February 9, 2021
First reported stevia-containing human urinary calculi
Sara L Best1,2, John R Asplin2, Natalia Gromadzka2
1Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Rare kidney stones were identified in patients. These unusual urinary calculi were composed of steviol, a metabolite from the popular stevia sweetener, marking the first discovery of its kind in human urinary tracts.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Toxicology
Background:
- Most kidney stones consist of common substances like calcium oxalate.
- Unusual stone compositions can arise from rare metabolic disorders or exposures.
- Identifying novel urinary calculi is crucial for understanding metabolic pathways and potential health impacts.
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