Aluminum hemotoxicity mechanisms

Both aluminum and its salts are commonly used by people. Aluminum salts are components of drugs. Such a widespread use of aluminum was enhanced by the belief that it is not toxic and is quickly excreted from the body with urine. It turned out, however, that this element has a negative impact on human health. Post-dialysis encephalopathy of patients with kidney malfunctioning was ascribed to the presence of aluminum in dialysis fluid. Aluminum cumulating in brain tissue is claimed to play a role in developing neurological disorders. This element affects bones as well as it causes disturbances in phosphorus and calcium levels, which is demonstrated chiefly by osteomalatia. Aluminium accumulation in the liver leads to cholestasis. This element causes numerous changes in peripheral blood and hemogenic system. It also causes normo- or microcytary anemia as it disturbs maturing of erythroblastic series cells and heme biosynthesis; it decreases osmotic resistance of red blood cells. Aluminum inhibits defensive mechanisms connected with white blood cells and macrophages. A number of processes, namely aluminum's hemolytic activity, blood cells' shorter lifetime or disturbed erythropoiesis process, are responsible for hematological changes.