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Silicon and aluminium interactions in haemodialysis patients
R Parry1, D Plowman, H T Delves
1Wessex Renal & Transplant Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, UK.
Background:
Aluminium toxicity in dialysis patients is well described. Aluminium has a close chemical affinity with silicon. Silicon may have a role in protection against aluminium toxicity.
Methods:
We measured serum aluminium and silicon levels from haemodialysis patients from four different centres.
Results:
Though no relationship was seen across all centres combined, in one centre there was a reciprocal relationship in patients on home haemodialysis (who did not require reverse osmosis). Median (range) aluminium levels were higher, 2.2 (0.4-9.6) micromol/l when serum silicon was less than 150 micromol/l, and lower, 1.1 (0.2-2.8) micromol/l when serum silicon levels were greater than 150 micromol/l (P = 0.03).
Conclusions:
In patients treated by haemodialysis without reverse osmosis high serum silicon concentrations were associated with lower serum aluminium concentrations than those with low serum silicon. Further work needs to confirm a preventative role for silicon in the accumulation and subsequent toxicity of aluminium in dialysis patients.