Effect of desferrioxamine on aluminum kinetics during hemodialysis

The effects of desferrioxamine administration on aluminum kinetics during hemodialysis were studied. Desferrioxamine leads to an increase of plasma aluminum levels in patients on chronic hemodialysis which could be attributed to mobilization of tissue aluminum. The in vivo protein binding of aluminum was found to be 70% after administration of desferrioxamine vs. 80% without a premedication with desferrioxamine, thus greatly enhancing the concentration gradient between free diffusible plasma aluminum and dialysate aluminum. Desferrioxamine therefore leads to increased aluminum removal during hemodialysis and should be considered in the therapy of aluminum toxicity syndromes.