Growth patterns of monosodium urate monohydrate (gouty and urinary) crystals in gel: An in vitro study.

Monosodium urate monohydrate crystals are deposited in peripheral joints causing gout and elicit an intense localized inflammatory attack whereas in collecting ducts and medullary interstitium as a urinary calculi which causes dysuria, nausea and hematuria. The purpose of present study is to observe possible growth patterns of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals. The crystals were grown in test tubes by single diffusion gel technique and were observed at 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and 40th day. Needle and spherulite type crystals were observed at 14th day, while arboresque, crystal sheaves, densely branched, dumbbell, mushroom type spherulites, plumose and hexagonal prismatic crystals were observed for the first time. After 40th day complete spherulites were observed with their aggregates. The crystals were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-ray and Fourier Transform infra Red spectroscopies. The pattern of MSUM will be helpful to determine the role of different natural products in the modulation, inhibition or promotion of these crystals by affecting the shape, size, transparency, approximate number and total mass of growing crystals. In case of inhibition or modulation it will be helpful for evaluation the prophylactic management whereas the promotion of the crystal will give an idea about the risk factors of gout and kidney stones.