Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to investigate aluminum levels in blood and the factors affecting aluminum concentration; we also presented findings on aluminum clearance during hemodialysis in chronic renal failure patients.
METHODS
We selected 56 patients with case of chronic renal failure and 144 healthy examinees as a control group. We analysed aluminum concentrations in their blood, water and dialysis fluid.
RESULTS
The blood aluminum concentration in the 56 patients was 2.38+/-0.27 microgram/ dL , about 4 times higher than that of the control group (p < 0.01). Blood aluminum concentrations were not affected by factors such as creatinine, BUN, hemodialysis duration, iron, and drinking water. After hemodialysis, blood aluminum level were decreased by about 15% and the aluminum concentration in the dialysis fluid was increased.
CONCLUSIONS
Blood aluminum levels were significantly high in the chronic renal failure patients; and hemodialysis helped the patients to excrete aluminum. Authors suggest that a purified dialysis fluid containing a lower aluminum concentration would facilitate aluminum excretion in hemodialysis patients.

• Keywords: Aluminum;Chronic renal failure;Hemodialysis