title: Plasma aluminium in a reference population: the effects of antacid consumption and its influence on biochemical indices of bone formation.
abstract: Aluminium is involved in the etiology of several complications of chronic renal failure and has been firmly established as having toxic effects on bone tissue. We have measured plasma aluminium together with serum osteocalcin, procollagen I C-terminal peptide and total alkaline phosphatase activity in healthy subjects and in a group of subjects who consumed aluminium-containing and non-aluminium containing antacid preparations, with normal renal function. Age-related healthy reference ranges for plasma aluminium are presented and the effects of chronic antacid consumption on plasma aluminium and biochemical markers of bone formation investigated. In 172 healthy subjects the mean plasma aluminium concentration was 4.4 +/- 2.9 micrograms L-1, men having a significantly greater circulating aluminium load than women (5.4 +/- 2.8 micrograms L-1 vs. 4.0 +/- 2.8 micrograms L-1 respectively (P = 0.0039)). Older men were found to have significantly higher plasma aluminium levels than younger men. Increased plasma aluminium was seen in subjects taking antacids although this was not associated with significant changes in most indices of bone formation.
authors.affiliation: Charles Salt Research Centre, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire, UK.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perks
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Worsfold
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Davie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000535:Aluminum / Q000097:blood*; D000863:Antacids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001846:Bone Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids; D015675:Osteocalcin; D000535:Aluminum