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Glycosaminoglycans and oxalocalcic urolithiasis
F Grases1, I Llompart, A Conte
1Department of Chemistry, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Nephron
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels were measured using a simple photometric method. Significantly lower GAG concentrations were found in stone formers, suggesting a potential cause for kidney stone formation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Urology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) play a role in preventing calcium oxalate crystal formation.
- Deficits in urinary GAGs may be linked to the development of kidney stones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate urinary GAG excretion and concentration in healthy individuals and calcium oxalate stone formers.
- To assess the utility of the dimethylmethylene blue photometric method for GAG analysis.
Main Methods:
- A simple analytical procedure using dimethylmethylene blue as a photometric reagent.
- Quantification of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) urinary excretions and concentrations.
- Comparison of GAG levels between sexes, stone formers, and a control group.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in GAG concentrations were observed across all groups.
- A deficit of urinary GAGs was detected in some individual stone formers.
- GAGs demonstrated inhibitory effects on heterogeneous calcium oxalate nucleation.
Conclusions:
- Low urinary GAG content may contribute to pathological epithelium, favoring stone formation.
- The dimethylmethylene blue method is a recommended quick screening procedure for identifying GAG deficits.
- Monitoring urinary GAGs could aid in understanding and potentially preventing kidney stone disease.