Related Experiment Videos
[Are silicates only gravel stones?]
Zeitschrift Fur Urologie Und Nephrologie
|May 1, 1983
Summary
Silicon dioxide in urine typically signals artifacts. However, isolated cases show silicate presence in urinary calculi, possibly from silicon supplement overuse, with potential isomorphic incorporation.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Context:
- Urinary calculi (kidney stones) are common, with diverse compositions.
- Silicon dioxide is often considered an indicator of sample contamination.
- The role of silicates in urolithiasis is not well-established.
Purpose:
- To investigate the occurrence and significance of silicate in urinary calculi.
- To determine the origin of silicate in urinary sediment and calculi.
- To explore the potential for silicon incorporation into stone matrix.
Summary:
- Infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, and electron-ray microanalysis identified silicate in urinary calculi in specific instances.
- This presence is likely linked to excessive intake of silicon-based supplements.
- Significant local silicon enrichment (up to 2%) was observed in phosphate phases, suggesting isomorphic incorporation of silicate ions (SiO4).
Impact:
- Challenges the assumption that silicon dioxide in urinary samples always represents artifacts.
- Highlights a potential etiological factor in urolithiasis related to silicon supplementation.
- Provides evidence for the incorporation of silicate into the crystalline structure of urinary stones.