1. Special chemistry
Lecture 5

2. Nutritional markers Definition
A nutritional biochemical marker means a nutrient (e.g., vitamin, fatty acid, trace element), a metabolite (e.g., homocysteine, methylmalonic acid), or a dietary indicator with potential health relevance (e.g., isoflavone, lignan) measured in blood or urine.

3. Biochemical indicators
Biochemical indicator sections
New biochemical indicators
Water-soluble vitamins
Vitamin B6
Fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients
Vitamin C
Trace elements (iron indicators and iodine)
Fatty acids
Isoflavones and lignans
Iron status: Transferrin receptor and body iron

4. Calculi
A calculus (plural calculi) is a stone (a concretion of material, usually mineral salts) that forms in an organ or duct of the body.
Also known as lithiasis

5. Sites of stone formations
renal system
gastrointestinal tract
nasal passages
Salivary duct calculus
Tonsillolith

6. Etiology (cause)
From an underlying abnormal excess of the mineral, e.g. with elevated levels of calcium (hypercalcaemia) that may cause kidney stones, dietary factors for gallstones.
Local conditions at the site that promote their formation, e.g. local bacteria action (in kidney stones) or slower fluid flow rate salivary duct calculus

7. Calcium oxalate is the most common type of the nephrolithiasis.
Uric acid is the second most common type of the mineral

8. Diagnosis Diagnostic workup varies by the stone type
Clinical history and physical examination
Imaging studies are often needed.
Some stone types (mainly those with substantial calcium content) can be detected on X-ray and CT scan.
Many stone types can be detected by ultrasound.
Factors contributing to stone formation are often tested:
Laboratory testing can give levels of relevant substances in blood or urine.
Some stones can be directly recovered (at surgery, or when they leave the body spontaneously) and sent to a laboratory for analysis of content