Growth inhibition study of urinary type brushite crystal using potassium dihydrogen citrate solution

Abstract

Brushite (CaHPO4.2H2O), or Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate Dihydrate (CHPD), crystal is known as Phosphate stone and commonly found in urolithiasis. Brushite is comparatively hard and difficult to remove by shock waves and ultrasonic lithotripsy. The current study is conducted to find out the inhibiting effect of Potassium Dihydrogen Citrate (KDC) solution, on brushite crystals using single-diffusion gel growth technique, at room temperature. Star and needle type crystals are grown in gel medium. As the molar concentration of KDC solution added in the supernatant solution during crystal growth, the average size of grown brushite crystals decreases and for 0.5 M KDC solution, no growth of brushite crystals is observed. The possible mechanism is proposed with the help of Powder XRD, SEM and EDAX analyses. These in-vitro results can help to evaluate the risk factor of brushite crystals.