Silicon and aluminium interactions in haemodialysis patients.
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.
Parry
R
R
Wessex Renal & Transplant Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, UK.
Plowman
D
D
Delves
H T
HT
Roberts
N B
NB
Birchall
J D
JD
Bellia
J P
JP
Davenport
A
A
Ahmad
R
R
Fahal
I
I
Altmann
P
P
D000535:Aluminum / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity*; D012080:Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control; D015312:Hemodialysis Solutions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D006437:Hemodialysis, Home / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D009995:Osmosis; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012825:Silicon / Q000097:blood*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
D015312:Hemodialysis Solutions; D010710:Phosphates; D000535:Aluminum; D012825:Silicon