THE EFFECT OF ALUMINUM ON BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS RELATED TO BONE METABOLISM. A MODEL STUDY OF HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

The influence of aluminum on some serum parameters related to bone metabolism has been investigated by daily administration of aluminum over different periods of time. Daily administration of aluminum (1 mg/kg BW) for 20 or 50 days elevated serum phosphorous concentration by 16 percent and had no significant effect on serum calcium level. When aluminum was injected as a complex with citric acid (1 :1) there was a 22 percent elevation in serum phosphorous concentration, but again had no significant effect on serum calcium. Same amounts of aluminum caused a 28 percent elevation in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), but had no significant effect on serum parathormone (PTH) either with or without citric acid. A marked reduction (about 41 percent) in serum calcitonin was observed when rats were given aluminum with or without citric acid. The relationship between aluminum toxicity and osteomalacia has been discussed.