Tamm-Horsfall protein excretion and its relation to citrate in urine of stone-forming patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relation of Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) and citrate, both potent actors in the urinary stone forming process.


METHODS
Quantitative determination of THP in calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone-forming patients and healthy subjects was carried out according to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.


RESULTS
THP excretion in 24-hour urine samples of CaOx stone-forming patients was significantly reduced compared with healthy subjects. A significant correlation exists between the concentration of THP and citrate in the stone-forming group, as well as in the group of healthy subjects, and for the 24-hour excretion, this correlation persists in the group of CaOx stone-forming patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased THP and citrate excretions were found in CaOx stone-forming patients. They indicate a tubular dysfunction of the distal section.
Ganter
K
K
Department of Urology, University of Bonn, Germany.
Bongartz
D
D
Hesse
A
A
D000328:Adult; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009088:Mucoproteins / Q000652:urine*; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000652:urine*; D058949:Uromodulin
D009088:Mucoproteins; C548612:UMOD protein, human; D058949:Uromodulin; D019343:Citric Acid