IMPORTANCE OF KIDNEY-FUNCTION AND DURATION OF EXPOSURE ON ALUMINUM ACCUMULATION IN MATURE RATS

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of reduced renal function and duration of aluminum exposure on aluminum accumulation i n tissues. Rats received a unilateral nephrectomy or sham operation at 9 months of age and were fed either 0.4 or 37.6 mumole Al/g diet for 6 or 9 months. The modest accumulation of aluminum in tissues was grea ter in tibia and liver after 9 versus 6 months of aluminum exposure an d among rats with one rather than two kidneys. About 35% of variation in tibia aluminum concentrations could be predicted on the basis of cr eatinine clearance and about 19% of the variation in liver aluminum co ncentrations could be explained on the basis of aluminum load and urin ary creatinine excretion. These data support the hypothesis that modes t reductions in kidney function can result in somewhat elevated bone a nd liver aluminum retention. But renal function, per se, is not the pr imary determinant of tissue aluminum concentrations in mature rats.