engleski

Pathological mineralization: what can be done?

Pathological mineralization, i.e. the pathological deposition of mineral within soft tissue is an abnormal process that can occur in any body tissue. It occurs as chondrocalcinosis within/upon fibrocartilageneous tissue (menisci, articular cartilage), as atherosclerosis in blood vessels, as urolitiasis in the kidney and/or the urinary tract, etc. Urolithiasis presents a particularly important medical and social problem because of its debilitating effects and high rate of recurrence among working age populations. This review is focused on interdisciplinary research, carried out in collaboration by several Laboratories: (i) the Laboratory for Precipitation Processes, the Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia, (ii) the Department of Urology, Clinical Hospital Osijek, Croatia (iii) Institute of Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia (iv) the Institute of Chemistry, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel and (v) the Paffenbarger Research Center, American Dental Association Foundation, NIST, Gaithersburg, USA with the purpose to explore the mechanisms of urolithiasis as well as possibilities of early detection and prevention of recurrencies. A variety of compositions, i.e. uric acid, sodium urate, calcium oxalates, calcium phoshates plus organic matter may occur as single component or mixed stones in the urinary tract. The formation of such concrements is likely driven by physicochemical factors, such as variable urinary supersaturations and/or lack of inhibitors of crystal growth and aggregation. The physicochemical aspects of urinary stone formation, i.e. supersaturation, crystallization processes in aqueous solution and in gels as well as the influence of small and macromolecules on the promotion and inhibition of nucleation, growth and aggregation of urinary crystals [1-4] will be discussed. It will be shown that depending on the precipitation conditions and additive concentration the same compounds may function both as inhibitors and promoters of crystallization [4] and may promote morphological, polymorphic and/or phase changes in the system [1, 2]. Finally, simple methods for testing urines of individuals, to asses their potential to form kidney or urinary stones [5-7] will be described.

urolithiasis; interdisciplinary approach; pathological mineraliaztion

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