SILICON AND ALUMINUM INTERACTIONS IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS

Background. Aluminium toxicity in dialysis patients is well described. Aluminium has a close chemical affinity with silicon. Silicon may hav e a role in protection against aluminium toxicity. Methods. We measure d serum aluminium and silicon levels from haemodialysis patients from four different centres. Results. Though no relationship was seen acros s all centres combined, in one centre there was a reciprocal relations hip in patients on home haemodialysis (who did not require reverse osm osis). Median (range) aluminium levels were higher, 2.2 (0.4-9.6) mu m ol/l when serum silicon was less than 150 mu mol/l, and lower, 1.1 (0. 2-2.8) mu mol/l when serum silicon levels were greater than 150 mu mol /l (P=0.03). Conclusions. In patients treated by haemodialysis without reverse osmosis high serum silicon concentrations were associated wit h lower serum aluminium concentrations than those with low serum silic on. Further work needs to confirm a preventative role for silicon in t he accumulation and subsequent toxicity of aluminium in dialysis patie nts.