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Aluminum toxicity perturbs long bone calcification in the embryonic chick
C E Firling1, T A Hill, A R Severson
1Department of Biology, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 10 University Drive, Duluth, Minnesota 55812, USA. cfirling@d.umn.edu
Archives of Toxicology
|November 7, 1999
Summary
Aluminum citrate exposure in chick embryos caused temporary bone mineralization defects and limb angulation. While initial calcium uptake and bone calcium content were reduced, these effects normalized over time, though bone alkaline phosphatase activity remained elevated.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Aluminum (Al) is a common environmental toxicant.
- Its effects on bone development are not fully understood.
- Chick embryos provide a model to study Al's impact on skeletal calcification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of acute and chronic aluminum citrate exposure on long bone calcification in chick embryos.
- To assess changes in bone mineralization, calcium content, and related enzyme activities.
Main Methods:
- Chick embryos were treated with aluminum citrate, sodium citrate, or sodium chloride.
- Exposure was either acute (single dose) or chronic (daily doses).
- Evaluated limb radiography, bone calcium content, 45Ca uptake, bone alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, and protein synthesis.
Main Results:
- Aluminum exposure induced persistent limb angulation and transient mineralization defects.
- Reduced bone calcium content and 45Ca uptake were observed in early stages.
- Bone alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly elevated, particularly with chronic exposure.
- No significant effects were found on collagen synthesis or key serum bone markers.
Conclusions:
- Aluminum citrate exposure transiently impairs bone mineralization and calcium metabolism in developing chick embryos.
- Elevated bone alkaline phosphatase suggests a compensatory or altered bone remodeling response.
- The skeletal effects appear to be transient, with normalization of calcium content and uptake by later stages.