[Presence and role of trace elements in urinary calculi]

Abstract

Aim: To assess the possible nature and role of trace elements in the pathogenesis of urinary stones.

Material and method: A series of 76 calculi from the East-Algerian region has been investigated through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for chemical analysis and X-ray fluorescence for detecting trace elements.

Results: Among the detected trace elements, Zn, Sr, Pb, Cu, Rb and Se, only the first three had significant values. Overall, the calcium components, namely calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, were the most loaded by these elements contrary to organic components such as uric acid and cystine, which had low contents.

Conclusion: The correlation of contents of Zn and Sr with the stone components (carbapatite, weddellite and whewellite) suggests an adsorption of these trace elements in the case of calcium stones rather than a catalytic process.

Level of evidence: 3.

Keywords: Calculs urinaires; Fluorescence X; Trace elements; Urinary calculi; X-ray fluorescence; Éléments traces.