Characterization of the physiochemical and biochemical properties of the urinary protein bikunin in South African black and white subjects with respect to calcium oxalate kidney stone formation

Approximately 12 % of males in the Western world are likely to suffer at least one kidney stone in their life. The incidence of kidney stone disease in South Africa is similar in white males; however stone occurrence in the South African black population is extremely rare. The difference between the incidences of kidney stones in the black and white populations in South Africa is unexplained. In general, the role of several urinary proteins in the pathogenesis of this disease has been established. Bikunin is an example. The primary aim of this study was to isolate bikunin from the urine of healthy black and white male subjects and to investigate whether the protein from the black group is a more powerful inhibitor of CaOx crystallization than that from the stone prone white group.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Chemistry

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Mabizela, Nontobeko

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Rodgers, Allen
• Sturrock, Edward D

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14033

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/14033