title: Dissolution of struvite urinary stones. Experimental studies in vitro.
abstract: Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that struvite crystals form primarily as a result of urease-induced alkalinity and supersaturation. In vitro perfusion of struvite crystals with undersaturated urine caused crystal dissolution. The investigations reported herein demonstrate complete dissolution of human struvite urinary stones during 6 weeks of perfusion in vitro with undersaturated human urine. Human hydroxyapatite stones perfused similarly underwent only slight dissolution. A glycoprotein precipitated as the stones dissolved; the pathogenic significance of the glycoprotein is unknown.
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000378:metabolism; D003460:Crystallization; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D010710:Phosphates; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D008274:Magnesium