Trace elements and electrolytes in patients with urinary tract calculi

ABSTRACT

Eighty nine male patients with urinary calculi and thirty male subjects as control group were studied and exploring for presence of some trace elements and electrolytes in urinary calculi to determine the role of these elements in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis. The patients were subdivided into 2 groups bilharzial group [54 patients] and non bilharzial group [35 patients]. Calcium in serum and urine of patients were significantly higher than that the control group. Calcium was present as predominant element in all stone except uric acid stone. Phosphates in serum was significantly lower than the control group, while in urine was slightly low. Phosphate in stone was high in magnesium ammonium phosphate especially in non bilharzial group. Magnesium in serum and urine showed no significant difference between control and patients group. Magnesium was low in all types of stone with exception of calcium magnesium ammonium phosphate stones. Zinc in serum and urine was significantly lower in patients than control group. Zinc in all groups of stones was low. Copper in bilharzial group showed a highly significant increase in the level of serum when compared with the control group. But copper in urine showed no difference between control and other groups. Small amount of copper was present in all types of stones. magnesium and molybedenum were not detected in serum, urine and stones. uric acid was significantly higher in serum and urine of patients than control group. Serum patient albumin and A/G ratio were significantly low in all groups of patients when compared to the control group. Urinay calcium/magnesium ratio was significantly low in control than in patients. Serum sodium was low in all groups of patients. Serum potassium was high in all groups of patients. Recurrent stone were liable for infection more than de. novo stone and so treatment of infection is essential