Heterogeneous Nucleation of Calcium Oxalate by Seeds of Monosodium Urate

Abstract

Summary

Seeds of monosodium urate caused heterogeneous nucleation of calcium oxalate at pH 5.7 and 6.7, and of calcium phosphate at pH 5.3, 5.7, and 6.7 from metastably supersaturated solutions in vitro. Seeds of uric acid had a small or no effect. The results could account for the formation of calcium stones among patients with hyperuricosuria and normocalciuria.

This work was supported by a Grant from the USPHS (R01-AM16061) and by a Grant from Burroughs-Wellcome Co.