title: Heterogeneous nucleation of calcium oxalate crystals in mammalian urine.
abstract: It is generally recognized that calcium oxalate crystal formation in urine is induced by heterogeneous nucleation. However, there is no consensus as to the nature of the nucleation substrate. Evidence is provided in this paper that membranous cellular degradation products are the most likely candidates because they: (1) are ubiquitous in urine and urinary stones; (2) are found in close association with crystal deposits in the kidneys; and (3) can induce nucleation of crystals from a metastable solution of calcium oxalate in vitro and metastable urine in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000652:urine*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003460:Crystallization; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000209:etiology / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000652:urine; D008055:Lipids / Q000652:urine; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000209:etiology / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D002129:Calcium Oxalate