The outbreak of infant kidney stones incident, which was caused by adulteration of melamine in infant formula in China, attracted worldwide attention. A large number of studies were carried out quickly, found out the "culprit" melamine in infant formula, analyzed the composition of stones, established new detection standard, investigated the differences between infants and adults, etc. However, the formation mechanism and solutions of this kidney stones are still unclear. Here, through thermodynamics and kinetics, <i>in vitro</i> simulation and animal experiments, multidisciplinary analysis and verification, rate-controlled supramolecular layered assembly process was revealed, and the microscopic mechanism was proposed: "Firstly, small molecule melamine combines with uric acid by hydrogen bonding to form a nanoscale planar network supramolecular structure with the participation of water molecules. Secondly, the planar structures self-assemble layer by layer to form ellipsoidal small crystals through π-π stacking interactions, van der Waals force, etc. Thirdly, the small crystals gradually grow and aggregate concentrically in a self-similar manner to form brown ellipsoidal melamine-uric acid stones under the control of matrix." On this basis, we screened out effective inhibitor and eliminator for stones, which work through both hydrogen bonding and alkalinity. This work has solved the most challenging conundrum left by the melamine incident and brings good news to human health.

Breakthrough of the final conundrum in China's milk powder adulteration incident: Formation mechanism and solutions of infant kidney stones

2019 Spring National Meeting

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