Aluminum toxicity in mammals: a minireview

The element aluminum is ubiquitous in nature. Although its role in the metabolism of living systems remains to be elucidated, under certain circumstances aluminum is known to be toxic. The following topics concerning the toxicologic aspects of aluminum in mammals are covered in this brief review: major sources of the metal in humans, clinical toxicology, and experimental toxicology. Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of aluminum overload are also discussed in the clinical toxicology section. Moreover, acute and chronic toxicity studies, behavioral and neurofibrillary changes, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive and developmental effects of the metal are reviewed in the experimental toxicology section. Aluminum, under ordinary circumstances, can accumulate in patients receiving long-term hemodialysis, which has been associated with various severe disorders.