Determination of the microstructure and chemical composition of tophi

Xue Bai, Hong-Bo Zhang, Xiang-Lin Yin2,, Song-Po Yao2,, Jia-Qi Wang2,, Xue-Wei Sun2,, Rui-Di Zhang, Bao-Sheng Guan2,✉

1. School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China

2. Key Laboratory of Gout Research of Heilongjiang Province, Jiamusi 154007, China

3. School of Public Health, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China

ARTICLE INFO

Article history:Received 18 Jan 2022 Received in revised form 26 Jan 2022 Accepted 2 Feb 2022 Available online 14 Feb 2022

Keywords:Gout Tophi Uric acid stones Chemical components of tophi

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the tophi in different parts of the human body of microstructure and main chemical components. To lay the foundation for further revealing the inflammatory response mechanism of gout patients. Methods: Use microscope, scanning electron microscope, etc. to observe the microstructure of tophi, and use scanning electron microscope energy spectrum analysis, X-ray fluorescence analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, etc. to detect and analyze the main crystalline components and chemical elements of tophi. Results: Through HE staining and scanning electron microscopy, the tophi is irregular block shape and its interior is needle shaped and radial. The energy spectrum analysis showed that the main elements of tophi were C, N, O, Na, etc. X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to detect tophi in the knees,elbows, and feet, the main elements of tophi were Cl, S, Ca, P, etc. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the main crystalline components of tophi were sodium urate hydrate and sodium dihydrogen urate hydrate. Conclusion: The mainly elements of tophi are C, N, O, Na, Ca, Cl,S, P, etc. The main crystalline components of tophi were sodium urate hydrate and sodium dihydrogen urate hydrate.

✉Corresponding author: GUAN Baosheng, Associate professor, Doctoral candidate.

E-mail: gbs@jmsu.edu.cn.

Fund Project: Jiamusi University Scientific Research Project (No.22zq201503)