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Not water, but formalin, dissolves urate crystals in tophaceous tissue samples
P A Simkin1, J E Bassett, Q P Lee
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Urate crystals showed varying solubility across solvents. They were insoluble in ethanol, sparingly soluble in water, and highly soluble in formalin, suggesting chemical interactions.
Area of Science:
- Crystallography
- Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Urate crystals are relevant in biological and chemical contexts.
- Understanding urate crystal solubility is crucial for various applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the solubility of synthetic urate crystals.
- To compare solubility in water, ethanol, and formalin.
Main Methods:
- Synthetic urate crystals were used.
- Incubation in water, ethanol, and formalin for 72 hours at 4°C.
- Examination using polarized microscopy.
Main Results:
- Urate crystals demonstrated insolubility in ethanol.
- Sparingly soluble in water.
- Markedly soluble in formalin.
Conclusions:
- Formalin's effectiveness in dissolving urate crystals suggests chemical reactions.
- Formation of urate:formaldehyde addition products is indicated.