Gastrointestinal aluminium absorption: is it modulated by the iron-absorptive mechanism?

Gastrointestinal aluminium (A1) absorption has been proved but its mechanism is still unknown. This study investigates the pattern of A1 absorption in patients with different degrees of iron stores. We studied 29 haemodialysis patients forming three groups according to their serum ferritin values. Over seven days all patients received the same dose of aluminium hydroxide after which patients with 'low-normal' and normal serum ferritin increased their serum A1 proportionally with the increased aluminium hydroxide intake. By contrast patients with high serum ferritin did not show any change in their serum A1 values. Our results therefore suggest that a 'common pathway' of metal absorption could be implicated in A1 absorption. Serum ferritin might be a valuable predictor of different behaviour.