[The physicochemical and biochemical signs of nephrolithiasis]

Urolithiasis diagnosis by uroliths presence reflects insufficient knowledge of the disease pathogenesis. 42 patients with oxalocalcium nephrolithiasis and 20 healthy patients were examined for differences in the urine and plasma composition. The authors studied factors involved in regulation of mineral metabolism and urinary elimination of crystal-forming substances. The patients with urinary stones compared to the control are characterized by low total crystal-inhibiting activity, hyperosmia, hypodipsia, decreased surface free energy, high quantities of ionized calcium, low ionized magnesium in the urine, oligo- and uricosuria. Shifts in hormonal regulation in nephrolithiasis result from slight elevation of urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a relative rise in the levels of aldosterone and parathyroid hormone, low blood calcitonin, all the changes being statistically significant.