EFFECT OF TAMM-HORSFALL PROTEIN ON CALCIUM-OXALATE PRECIPITATION

The effect of Tamm-Horsfall protein isolated from urine of healthy sub jects on calcium oxalate precipitation was studied in model systems of precipitation. The study was performed using following conditions: co ncentrations of calcium chloride 10 mmol/l, sodium chloride 150 mmol/l , oxalic acid 300 mu mol/l; pH 6.0, and temperature 310 K. The concent ration of Tamm-Horsfall protein varied between 1-10 mg/l. The kinetics of calcium oxalate precipitation was observed by measuring the number and volume of particles in the suspension, and the precipitate compos ition by an optic microscope. In all the studied systems, the precipit ate morphology corresponded to pure calcium oxalate monohydrate. Tamnz -Horsfall protein was found to inhibit the growth of calcium oxalate m onohydrate crystals and stimulate their aggregation in the given exper imental conditions. Both effects were enhanced by increase in the conc entrations of Tamm-Horsfall protein and were most pronounced at the co ncentration of Tamm-Horsfall protein of 10 mg/l.