Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

3D Hydrogel Scaffolds for Articular Chondrocyte Culture and Cartilage Generation
12:37

3D Hydrogel Scaffolds for Articular Chondrocyte Culture and Cartilage Generation

Published on: October 7, 2015

Glycosaminoglycans, proteins, and stone formation: adult themes and child's play

R L Ryall1

  • 1Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|October 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric urolithiasis literature is scarce, especially regarding urinary macromolecules. This review explores glycosaminoglycans and proteins

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Urology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Pediatric urolithiasis is relatively uncommon, leading to limited research.
  • Existing literature often mirrors adult urolithiasis findings.
  • Research on urinary macromolecules in pediatric stone disease is particularly scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical association of urinary macromolecules with calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
  • To discuss the role of glycosaminoglycans and proteins in pediatric stone formation.
  • To highlight the paucity of literature on this specific topic in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of published studies on urinary macromolecules and pediatric urolithiasis.
  • Comparison of urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion in healthy children versus those with renal stones.
  • Analysis of experimental evidence for the role of macromolecules in stone formation.

Main Results:

  • Few studies (four in the last 15 years) investigate urinary macromolecules in pediatric stone disease.
  • Published research primarily compares glycosaminoglycan excretion in stone-forming versus healthy children.
  • Experimental evidence suggests a determinant role for certain macromolecules in stone genesis.

Conclusions:

  • Urinary macromolecules, particularly glycosaminoglycans and proteins, are implicated in calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of macromolecule involvement in pediatric stone formation.
  • The scarcity of literature underscores the need for increased focus on this area of pediatric urology.

More Related Videos

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification07:23

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification

Published on: December 3, 2016

Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials09:46

Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials

Published on: July 8, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue01:27

Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue

Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
Proteoglycans01:05

Proteoglycans

Glycans, a class of complex heterogeneous molecules, can be covalently attached to proteins to form glycosylated proteins that regulate various physiological and pathological processes. Glycosylated proteins or glycoproteins comprise N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides. O-glycosylation is the most common type of protein glycosylation. Here, glycans attach to the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl groups of Serine or Threonine residues. O-linked glycosylation occurs later in protein processing,...
Glycosaminoglycans01:23

Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), also known as mucopolysaccharides, are long and linear polymers comprising of specific repeating disaccharides - the amino sugar that can be N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine, and a uronic acid that is usually glucuronic acid or iduronic acid.
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification01:24

Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification

Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...