Controlled growth of calcium oxalate crystal in bicontinuous microemulsions containing amino acids

The growth of calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄) crystal in water channels of three kinds of bicontinuous microemulsions, consisted of P-octyl polyethylene glycol phenylether (OP)/n-amyl alcohol/cyclohexane/water and above microemulsions containing tryptophan (Trp) or aspartic acid (Asp) has been studied. The products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that both surfactant and amino acids all could prompt the growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystal, but the crystal morphology varied with the different microemulsions, pH values of the aqueous solution in channels and concentrations of the reactants. Various crystal morphologies such as butterfly-like, hollow and spiny spherical could be observed easily. A model of molecular identification – organized assembly – pervasion-combination balance was proposed to explain the formation mechanism of CaC₂O₄ crystals in the microemulsions containing Asp.     

Influence of PSSS additive and temperature on morphology and phase structures of calcium oxalate

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) particles with different morphologies and phase structures were prepared by a facile precipitation reaction of sodium oxalate with calcium chloride in the absence and presence of poly(sodium 4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSSS) at different temperatures. The as-prepared products were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The influence of experimental conditions including pH, temperature, and concentration of PSSS and CaC2O4 on the morphologies and phase structures of the prepared calcium oxalate particles were investigated. It was found that variations in the concentration of PSSS and CaC2O4, temperature, and pH significantly influenced the crystal structure, morphology, and particle size of the samples. Various crystal morphologies of calcium oxalate, such as plate, leaf-shaped, bipyramid, and cylinder could be fabricated, depending on the experimental conditions. Higher PSSS concentration and reaction temperature favored the formation of metastable calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) crystals and stable calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), respectively. Especially, cylinder-shaped CaC2O4 particles were obtained at 80 degrees C in the presence of PSSS for the first time. This research may provide new insight into understanding and potentially regulating the formation of kidney stones and the control of morphology and phase structures of calcium oxalate particles.     

An understanding of renal stone development in a mixed oxalate-phosphate system

The in vivo formation of calcium oxalate concretions having calcium phosphate nidi is simulated in an in vitro (37 degrees C, pH 6.0) dual constant composition (DCC) system undersaturated (sigma DCPD = -0.330) with respect to brushite (DCPD, CaHPO 4 . 2H 2O) and slightly supersaturated (sigma COM = 0.328) with respect to calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM, CaC2O4 . H2O). The brushite dissolution provides calcium ions that raise the COM supersaturation, which is heterogeneously nucleated either on or near the surface of the dissolving calcium phosphate crystals. The COM crystallites may then aggregate, simulating kidney stone formation. Interestingly, two intermediate phases, anhydrous dicalcium phosphate (monetite, CaHPO4) and calcium oxalate trihydrate (COT), are also detected by X-ray diffraction during this brushite-COM transformation. In support of clinical observations, the results of these studies demonstrate the participation of calcium phosphate phases in COM crystallization providing a possible physical chemical mechanism for kidney stone formation.     

硅凝胶体系中不同结构羧酸钾对草酸钙结晶的影响

采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线衍射(XRD)方法研究了硅凝胶体系中不同种类羧酸钾对草酸钙(CaC₂O₄)晶体生长的调控作用. 加入一元醋酸钾(KOAc)只生成一水草酸钙(COM)晶体; 三元柠檬酸钾(K₃Cit)和四元乙二胺四乙酸二钾(K₂EDTA)可诱导二水草酸钙(COD)形成, 且随着其浓度增加, 对COD的诱导能力增加, 而二元酒石酸钾(K₂Tart)同时诱导了COM, COD和三水草酸钙(COT)生成. 随着结晶温度降低, 多元酸钾可以进一步减小COM晶体的比表面积, 增加COD的百分含量, 但K₂Tart诱导COT的能力减弱. 由于诱导COD和COT晶体形成、减小COM的比表面积均有利于防止草酸钙尿石的形成, 因此, 多元羧酸钾可用于草酸钙结石的预防和治疗.     

A laser flash photolysis study of amino acids and dipeptides using 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide as a photosensitizer: The pH dependence

The pH effects on the photochemical reaction of amino acids and related dipeptides with 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) as a photosensitizer have been investigated by laser flash photolysis. The obtained kinetic parameters show that the electron transfer from Tryptophan (Trp), Tyrosine (Tyr) as well as dipeptides containing Trp and/or Tyr residue to triplet 4NQO (^T4NQO) are efficient, but inefficient from methionine (Met) and dipeptides containing neither Trp nor Tyr. The result was supported by the calculated values of the free energy change from measured oxidation potentials for the electron transfer. It was demonstrated that Trp and Tyr residues are initial reaction sites with ^T4NQO, while Tyr/O^? radical may be final species for Trp-Tyr dipeptide. In acidic aqueous solutions, the self-quenching rate constants of ^T4NQO and the rate constants of electron transfer from amino acids to ^T4NQO decrease with decreasing pH. In alkaline solutions, amino acids are easily oxidized by 4NQO under irradiation of laser pulse, and no transient absorption signal was observed.     

不同种类羧酸钠对草酸钙结晶过程中晶相的影响

采用X射线衍射法研究了水溶液中不同种类羧酸钠对尿结石主要成份草酸钙结晶的影响，这些羧酸钠分别为含有一、二、三和四个羧基的羟基乙酸钠（NaGly）、酒石酸钠（Na2Tart）、柠檬酸钠（Na3Cit）和EDTA二钠盐（Na2EDTA）.结果表明，随着羧酸钠浓度的增加，草酸钙的晶相均发生规律性的变化：从最稳定的一水草酸钙（COM），到不稳定的二水草酸钙（COD），最后转化为次稳定的三水草酸钙（COT）.不同结构羧酸钠抑制COM生长、促进COD生成的顺序为:Na3Cit >Na2Tart >Na2EDTA >NaGly.该结果将为临床上选择防结石药物提供新的思路.     

卵磷脂-水体系中草酸钙模拟生物矿化的研究

草酸钙通常以三种水化物的形式存在：热力学稳定的一水草酸钙（以下简称COM），亚稳态的二水草酸钙（以下简称COD）和三水草酸钙（以下简称COT）。前人研究已经表明引起草酸钙不同水化物成核、生长以及聚集的因素，不仅仅在于钙离子和草酸根离子浓度的过量，而且与晶体成长所处环境包括离子种类、浓度、环境等有关。有关表面活性剂对草酸钙结晶过程的影响，例如SkriticD．小组做了大量的研究工作犤１～３犦。他们指出草酸钙晶体的成核、生长、组成以及晶体结构同表面活性剂水溶液的状态间存在着复杂的相关性犤１犦。本文选用卵磷脂（P…     

Metal-ligand-coordinated vesicles and vesicle-assisted preparation of calcium oxalate

A Ca(2+) -ligand-coordinated vesicle phase was prepared from a mixture of tetradecyldimethylamine oxide (C14DMAO) and calcium tetradecylamidomethyl sulfate [(CH3(CH2)13NHCOCH2OSO3)2Ca] in aqueous solution. At the appropriate mixing ratios, Ca(2+) -ligand coordination results in the formation of molecular bilayers because Ca(2+) can firmly bind to the head groups of C14DMAO and (CH3(CH2)13NHCOCH2OSO3)2Ca by complexation which reduces the area of head group. In this system, no counterions in aqueous solution exist because of the Ca(2+) -ligand coordination, and the bilayer membranes are not shielded by salts, i.e., a salt-free but charged molecular bilayer. The structures of the birefringent solutions of (CH3(CH2)13NHCOCH2OSO3)2Ca and C14DMAO mixtures were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and rheological measurements, demonstrating that the birefringent sample solutions consist of vesicles. The Ca(2+) -ligand complex vesicle phase was used as a microreactor to prepare calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) crystals. Dimethyl oxalate, as a precursor, can hydrolyze to oxalic acid and methanol. Oxalic acid should precipitate Ca(2+) ions binding to the head groups of C14DMAO and (CH3(CH2)13NHCOCH2OSO3)2Ca to produce CaC2O4 crystals (Ca(2+) + H2C2O4 --> CaC2O4 (downward arrow) + 2H+). The obtained particles were CaC2O4 monohydrate, which were dominated by (020) faces. CaC2O4 precipitates were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. After removal of CaC2O4 precipitates, a new cationic and anionic (catanionic) vesicle phase was constructed through electrostatic interaction between cationic C14DMAOH+ (C14DMAO + H+ --> C14DMAOH+) and anionic CH3(CH12)13 NHCOCH2OSO3-.     

Stability and transformation mechanism of weddellite nanocrystals studied by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy

This study is focused on the stability of weddellite, the dihydrate phase of calcium oxalate [CaC(2)O(4)·(2 + x)H(2)O], mainly detected in kidney stones and in oxalate films found on the surfaces of several ancient monuments. Its occurrence is a critical issue since, at environmental conditions, weddellite is unstable and quickly changes into whewellite, the monohydrate phase of calcium oxalate (CaC(2)O(4)·H(2)O). New single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments have been carried out, which confirm the structural model of weddellite previously published. Synthesised nanocrystals of weddellite have been kept under different hygrometric conditions in order to study, by X-ray powder diffraction, the influence of humidity on their stability. Moreover, the mechanism of transformation of weddellite nanocrystals has been investigated by infrared spectroscopy using D(2)O as a structural probe.     

沙苑子提取液对不同体系中草酸钙晶体生长影响的研究

通过与水、氯化钠、正常人尿液体系的比较,重点研究了结石患者尿液体系中加入中药沙苑子提取液对草酸钙晶体生长的的影响,利用SEM,FTIR和XRD等测试手段对所得晶体进行表征。结果发现:在结石患者尿液体系中形成的草酸钙晶体为一水草酸钙(COM)晶体,而在这4种体系中加入沙苑子提取液后,只形成二水草酸钙(COD)晶体,表明沙苑子提取液能抑制COM晶体生长,并且随着沙苑子提取液浓度增大,抑制作用增强。沙苑子抑制草酸钙晶体生长的可能机理进行了探讨。     

二维琼脂凝胶体系中过渡金属离子对草酸钙晶体生长和周期性沉淀的影响

在二维凝胶圆盘体系中,研究过渡金属离子对草酸钙晶体生长和周期性环状沉淀的影响,并对其形成机理进行探讨.结果表明:在一定浓度的Fe3 存在下,体系中出现了周期性环状沉淀现象.同时发现在此条件下抑制了一水合草酸钙(COM)晶型生成.此外,加入Zn2 、Co2 、Ni2 体系中的晶体都以二水合草酸钙(COD)为主;而加Cu2 离子的圆盘中,三水合草酸钙(COT)占据了主要的成分,这说明不同的过渡金属离子对三种草酸钙晶型的生成影响不同.另外,还对出现的与尿结石有关的特殊现象(白斑和放射状的条纹)进行了探讨.     

Biogenic synthesis of calcium oxalate crystal by reaction of calcium ions with spinach lixivium

In this paper, we report a biogenic synthesis protocol for preparation of calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄, CaOx) crystal at room temperature by a simple protein-mediated reaction of aqueous Ca²⁺ ions with the C₂O₄²⁻ ions spontaneously released from spinach. The aggregation of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) with a rod-like morphology was mainly formed in the spinach root lixivium, and the proportion of COM crystal in the aggregation increased with the concentration of Ca²⁺ ions increasing, however, spindle-shaped crystal was mainly obtained in the spinach leaf lixivium and the content of COM in the product was higher than that obtained in the root lixivium with the similar concentration of Ca²⁺ ions. COM phase disappeared and only COD crystal with morphology of tetragonal bipyramidal prisms presented in the product when the leaf lixivium was replaced by the leaf broth. The biomolecules such as proteins with molecular weight of 31 kDa liberated from the spinach root are negative-charged, which played important roles for the control of CaOx crystal growth in the root lixivium corresponding to the changes of protein secondary structures after reaction with Ca²⁺ ions. This research was potentially important for unraveling the biomineralization mechanism of CaOx crystal.     

海藻硫酸多糖抑制草酸钙结石形成的化学模拟

用体外模拟方法研究了从海藻异枝麒麟菜中提取的硫酸多糖(ESPS)对尿结石患者尿液中草酸钙晶体生长的影响. ESPS不但诱导与尿路细胞膜粘附力较弱的二水草酸钙晶体形成, 而且抑制一水草酸钙的生长和聚集, 归因于一水草酸钙的富钙(101)晶面与聚阴离子ESPS之间的静电相互作用. 上述结果表明, ESPS是一种抑制草酸钙结石的潜在绿色药物.     

含不同氨基酸反相微乳体系中胆红素钙的形成与稳定性

在聚乙二醇辛基苯基醚(OP)/正己醇/环己烷/水反相微乳液和甘氨酸、精氨酸、组氨酸3种含不同氨基酸的反相微乳液体系中成功地制备了胆红素钙,考察了氨基酸对胆红素钙的组成、形貌、配位方式及稳定性的影响。采用透射电子显微镜、表面Zeta电位、红外光谱和紫外光谱等测试技术对样品进行了表征。结果表明,此反相微乳体系中所得球形颗粒为中性胆红素钙,平均粒径80nm,在水分散体系中颗粒的稳定性随分散体系pH值的升高而先降低后增加,当pH=4.9时,颗粒表面Zeta电位值为0。3种亲水性氨基酸的加入促进胆红素钙颗粒的成核,最终影响胆红素钙的微结构、颗粒形貌和稳定性。当加入的氨基酸为组氨酸、甘氨酸时,所得胆红素钙球形颗粒形貌无明显变化,但平均粒径依次减小至60和40nm,其水分散体系中的稳定性明显增加;当加入的氨基酸为精氨酸时,所得胆红素钙颗粒形貌不规则,粒径非常小,不稳定,易形成聚集体。     

玉米须提取液对尿液中草酸钙晶体形成的影响

本文采用X射线衍射(XRD)、红外光谱(FTIR)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等方法分析了玉米须提取液对正常人尿液中草酸钙晶体形成的影响,通过电导率法研究了草酸钙晶体生长的动力学过程,以及从生物矿化的角度对玉米须提取液影响尿液中草酸钙晶体的可能机理进行了探讨。由于玉米须提取液中有机酸或多糖的羟基、羰基等通过配位作用与Ca²⁺结合形成可溶性配位化合物,减少了Ca²⁺与Oxa^2-的结合能力,从而抑制了CaOxa的成核和生长。同时,可能由于玉米须提取液中有效成分与二水草酸钙(COD)的吸附点键合,增强了COD晶体在溶液中的热力学稳定性,进而抑制了COD晶体向热力学更稳定态的一水草酸钙(COM)晶体转变。结果显示,这种抑制作用随玉米须浓度增大而增大,且COD晶体尺寸随着玉米须浓度的增大而减小。玉米须抑制COD晶体向COM晶体转变的作用为开发预防和治疗尿结石的药物提供了启示。     

草酸钾诱导的LB膜缺陷及对草酸钙堆积图形的影响

采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和原子力显微镜(AFM)研究了经不同浓度草酸钾(K2C2O4)处理后二棕榈酰磷酯酰胆碱(DPPC)的缺陷LB膜及其对一水草酸钙(COM)成核和生长的影响. K2C2O4的处理可进一步破坏LB膜中圆形畴区内的分子列阵, 尤其是使处在液态扩张相(LE)/液态凝集相(LC)边界的分子列阵无序程度增加, 从而促进了COM晶体在此处的成核和生长, 最终诱导圆形堆积的COM晶体图形出现. 随着损伤LB膜的K2C2O4浓度c(K2C2O4)从0.3 mmol/L增加到5.0 mmol/L, 其对LB膜畴区有序结构的破坏作用逐渐增强, 圈状堆积的晶体图形数量增多. 当c(K2C2O4)为0.3 mmol/L时, 主要诱导实心的圆形堆积的COM晶体图形, 而当c(K2C2O4)增加至5.0 mmol/L时, 生成圈状COM晶体图形, 且图形的半径减小. 这一研究结果将有助于从分子和超分子水平上了解肾小管上皮细胞膜损伤后的微结构变化及其与肾结石形成的关系.     

Electrospray mass and tandem mass spectrometry identification of ozone oxidation products of amino acids and small peptides

Aqueous ozonation of the 22 most common amino acids and some small peptides were studied by electrospray mass (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry. After 5 min of ozonation only His, Met, Trp, and Tyr form oxidation products clearly detectable by ESI-MS. For His, the main oxidation product is formed by the addition of three oxygen atoms, His + 30; for Met and Tyr by the addition of one oxygen atom, Met + O and Tyr + O, and for Trp by the addition of two oxygen atoms, Trp + 20. Ozone oxidation occurs rapidly, products are already detected after 30 s of ozonation, and the reactivity order is Met > Trp > Tyr > His. The structures of the oxygen addition products were investigated by electrospray product ion mass spectra, and by comparing these spectra to those of protonated intact amino acids, and when available, to those of model compounds. His + 30 was assigned as 2-amino-4-oxo-4-(3-formylureido)butanoic acid (1) formed by oxidation of the His imidazole ring, Met + O as methionine sulfoxide (2), Trp + 20 as N-formylkynurenine (4), and Tyr + O as a mixture of dihydroxyphenylalanines (7 and 8). Ozonation of peptides show that the same number of oxygen atoms are added as expected from the ozonation of the free amino acids. The product ion mass spectra of both the protonated intact peptides, MH+, and the main ozonation products (M + nO)H+ (n = 1-3) revealed b and y type ions as the main fragments, which allow one to assign the type and location of modified amino acid in the model peptides.     

Inhibition of the Crystal Growth and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate by Algae Sulfated Polysaccharide In-vitro

Kidney stone disease causes substantial suffering and occasional renal failure. The content of calcium oxalate (CaOxa) is up to 70-80% in the stones1,2. However, the mechanism of the formation of urinary stones is not yet clearly understood and the questi…     

土家族药物天葵化石汤提取液抑制草酸钙结石形成的化学模拟

采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线衍射法(XRD)研究了土家族药物天葵化石汤(Tiankui)的提取液对尿石晶体草酸钙(CaOxa)成核、生长的抑制作用及其对二水草酸钙(COD)的稳定作用. 当Tiankui浓度小于30 mg/mL时, 主要生成一水草酸钙(COM), 但可使COM晶体棱角圆钝. 随着Tiankui浓度增加至45和75 mg/mL, 可分别诱导95%和100%的COD晶体生成. Tiankui还可以稳定COD在水溶液中的存在, 没有Tiankui存在时, COD在48 h内全部转化为COM晶体, 而在12 mg/mL Tiankui存在下, COD仅有20%转化. 从Tiankui提取液的活性组分、与草酸钙不同晶相间的吸附差异、化学配位等角度讨论了其抑制CaOxa生长和诱导稳定COD的化学基础.     

不同介质凝胶体系中草酸钙结晶的研究

研究了五种不同介质（水、氯化钠、合成尿、正常人尿液和尿石患者尿液）的凝胶体系中草酸钙（CaC2O4）晶体的生长,及各种体系中防石药物柠檬酸钾（K3cit）对CaC2O4生长的影响.没有加K3cit时,CaC2O4晶体以一水草酸钙（calcium oxalate monohydrate, COM）为主要物相,但在氯化钠和合成尿的凝胶体系中同时出现了二水草酸钙（calcium oxalate dihydrate, COD）和三水草酸钙（calcium oxalate trihydrate, COT）,肾结石患者尿液中出现COD,而正常人尿液中没有COD和COT生成.加入K3cit后,水、氯化钠和合成尿介质的凝胶体系中,COT的含量显著增加,患者尿液中产生大量COD,而正常人尿液中出现了少量的COD和极个别的COT.COT的增加与低温、体系中高的离子强度及金属离子等因素有关.K3cit具有诱导COD和COT的生成、减小COM晶体比表面积的作用,从而有利于防治草酸钙结石的形成.