Trace metal-citric acid complexes as inhibitors of calcification and crystal growth. II. Effects of Fe(III), Cr(III) and Al(III) complexes on calcium oxalate crystal growth.
The high molecular weight Fe(III)-citric acid complex, formed at low ratios of citrate:iron in solution, has been shown to be an effective inhibitor of calcium oxalate crystal growth. This appears to be a specific reaction, since 2 other similar metal ions. Al(III) and Cr(III), exhibit no synergism with citric acid in this system. Because the low molecular weight Fe(III)-citric acid complex, formed at high ratios of citrate:iron, inhibits calcium phosphate precipitation but has no effect on calcium oxalate, the Fe(III)-citric acid system might have a selective biologic role in regulating the growth of calcium-containing urinary calculi in vivo.
D000535:Aluminum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002129:Calcium Oxalate; D002857:Chromium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002951:Citrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019343:Citric Acid; D003460:Crystallization; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000378:metabolism
D002951:Citrates; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D002857:Chromium; D002129:Calcium Oxalate; D019343:Citric Acid; C025314:ferric citrate; D000535:Aluminum; D007501:Iron