Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Ki...

Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Kidney and Biochemical Parameters in Experimental Calculogenic Rats

Author Name : Dr. Dhanalekshmy T G

ABSTRACT

Urolithiasis is the formation of calculi anywhere in the urinary tract which is a multifactorial recurrent disease prevalent worldwide. The biochemical analysis of the urine and serum can help in identifying the risk factors that could be responsible for stone formation. Scanning electron microscope can be used as a robust machine in the urinary stone study which helps in detecting the microcrystals and also produce very high resolution images of a sample surface. The present study was undertaken to understand the changes in the urine and serum biochemical parameters of the calculogenic rats and to study the crystals in the kidney sections of these experimental rats under the scanning electron microscope. Calculogenesis was induced in rats using ethylene glycol orally. 24-hour urine samples of the calculogenic rats and control were analysed and the relevant biochemical parameters were assessed utilising standard procedures. Student ‘t’ test was used for statistical analysis. The mean values of promoters of stone formation namely urine calcium (p<0.001), phosphorus (p<0.05), urine oxalate (NS), were higher in the calculogenic rats compared to the non-calculogenic rats. The inhibitor urine citrate was significantly lower (p<0.01) in the calculogenic rats. Results show that there were changes in urine parameters in calculogenic rats compared to controls. The scanning electron microscopic study of the kidneys of the calculogenic rats showed deposition of significant number of crystals. Under magnification x 160, approximately 15 small crystals were seen per field. Under magnification x 650, multifaceted single crystals were seen. The crystals measured 171.6x8.8µm. At magnification x 1100, single crystals with irregular surface were seen. The crystals measured 60x42 µm. The crystals were showing interpenetrate twinning. The significantly high level of promoters of crystallisation and low level of inhibitor in the urine of the calculogenic rats indicate that crystallisation is promoted in them. The significant number of polymorphic multifaceted single crystals and the twinning of the crystals seen in the kidneys of the calculogenic rats indicate the tendency for promoting aggregation of the crystals. Study emphasises the increased tendency for urolithiasis in the calculogenic rats.

Keywords: Multifactorial, crystals, non-calculogenic, scanning electron microscope, calculogenic, polymorphic, parameters, aggregation