A Photomicroscopic Study on the Growth Rates of Calcium Oxalate Crystals in a New Synthetic Urine without Inhibitors and with Various Inhibitors

Abstract

A photomicroscopic growth apparatus was used to study the growth rates of calcium oxalate crystals in a new synthetic urine without inhibitors and with various inhibitors, including magnesium ions, citrate ions, chondroitin sulfate ions, and phytate ions. The dependence of growth rates on supersaturation at different temperatures without inhibitors was investigated using a power law model in terms of the Arrhenius form. The effects of various inhibitors on the growth rates of calcium oxalate indicated that the inhibition of growth rates increases in the order magnesium ions < citrate ions < chondroitin sulfate ions < phytate ions. The polymorphic forms of calcium oxalate crystals without inhibitors and with various inhibitors were examined by scanning electron microscopy.