Role of urinary zinc and copper on calcium oxalate stone formation.
BACKGROUND
It is considered that many factors may play a role in urolithiasis. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that zinc has an inhibitory effect on urolithiasis.


METHODS
In this study, urinary zinc and copper were measured in 27 healthy controls and 30 calcium oxalate stone formers.


RESULTS
Urinary zinc excretion was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in stone formers than healthy controls (2,575 +/- 274 and 960 +/- 80 mg/day, respectively). There was no significant difference in urinary copper excretion between healthy controls and stone formers (32.3 +/- 3.5 and 33.3 +/- 3.2 microg/day, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
According to our results, the potent inhibitory effect of urinary zinc excretion on urolithiasis could be reviewed.
Ozgurtas
Taner
T
Department of Biochemistry, Gulhane Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. chem352000@yahoo.com
Yakut
Gurer
G
Gulec
Mahir
M
Serdar
Muhittin
M
Kutluay
Turker
T
D000328:Adult; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000209:etiology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000652:urine*
D002129:Calcium Oxalate; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc