Vitamin D, desferrioxamine and aluminum-induced bone disease in uremic rats

The effect of 100 ng 1 alpha-OH vitamin D/week alone and in combination with desferrioxamine (DFO), 150 mg/week, was evaluated in aluminum loaded uremic rats. Vitamin D (Vit D) caused an increase of Al in muscle and a decrease in serum Al. Bone histology showed mineralization defect and an increase in bone mass, due to an increase in unmineralized bone, induced both by Al and Vit D administration. Treatment with DFO enhanced urinary Al excretion and lowered tissue Al, without inducing major changes of static bone histology. It is concluded that in Al-loaded uremic rats Vit D can redistribute body Al and that both Al and Vit D can cause a mineralization defect. A 6-week treatment with DFO lowers tissue Al without changing significantly static bone parameters.