Role of urinary alpha1-globulin fraction in formation of urinary calculi. With special reference to aggregating effect of serum alpha1-globulin on calcium carbonate suspension.

The present study was undertaken to determine if urinary protein can produce urinary stones and what types of protein have such an effect. Normal human serum was fractionated first with ammonium sulfate and then with DEAE-cellulose. The stone-forming action of each fraction was estimated by calculating their ability to alter the sedimentation rate and zeta-potential of a calcium carbonate suspension. Finally, the proteins in each fraction were identified by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The most marked aggregating and precipitating effect on a CaCO3 suspension was observed with a mixture of proteins of alpha1-globulin and albumin fractions. However, beta- and gamma-fractions had little aggregating effect on the CaCO3 suspension.