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Uremia, dialysis and aluminium
N Di Paolo1, A Masti, I B Comparini
1Nephrology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Senese, Siena, Italy.
The International Journal of Artificial Organs
|January 9, 1998
Summary
Aluminum accumulates in the body, especially in the lungs and bile, of hemodialysis patients compared to healthy individuals. This study quantifies these elevated aluminum levels in various tissues.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Few studies have quantified aluminum levels in uremic patients' tissues.
- A direct comparison of aluminum accumulation between uremic and control groups across multiple tissues is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare aluminum levels in serum, urine, and autopsy tissues between hemodialysis patients and healthy controls.
- To investigate the distribution and accumulation patterns of aluminum in various organs of uremic patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum and urine aluminum levels were measured in 111 hemodialysis patients and 55 controls.
- Autopsy tissue samples (blood, bile, brain, lung, liver, muscle, etc.) from 12 uremic and 10 control cases were analyzed.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare aluminum concentrations between groups and within tissues.
Main Results:
- Hemodialysis patients showed significantly higher serum and urinary aluminum levels than controls.
- Autopsy tissues from uremic patients had higher aluminum levels than controls in most tissues, notably bile, blood, urine, and lung.
- Aluminum distribution varied, with highest concentrations in bile, blood, urine, and lung for dialysis patients.
Conclusions:
- Uremic patients, particularly those on hemodialysis, exhibit significant aluminum accumulation across multiple organs and tissues.
- Elevated aluminum levels in uremic patients suggest impaired excretion and potential for widespread tissue deposition.
- Further research is warranted to understand the clinical implications of this widespread aluminum storage.