The effects of calcium deficiency on aluminum accumulation in the tissues of rats treated by oral aluminum administration

Abstract

We carried out this investigation to elucidate the effect of calcium (Ca) deficiency (Ca (-)) on aluminum (Al) accumulation in tissues of rats treated by oral Al administration. Thirty-two four-week-old rats (65g) were divided into two groups; a normal (N) diet group and a Ca (-) diet group. The N diet group was fed the N diet for 45 consecutive days, and then divided into four groups. Group (G)-1 rats were fed normal diet (N) for 9 days, G-2, G-3 and G-4 rats were fed an Al-overloaded N diet (1mg Al/g diet) for 3, 6 or 9 days, respectively. The Ca (-) diet group was fed Ca (-) diet for 45 consecutive days, and then divided into four groups. G-5 rats were fed the Ca (-) diet for 9 consecutive days, G-6, G-7 and G8 rats were fed an Al-overloaded Ca (-) diet for 3, 6 or 9 days. We studied the accumulation of Al in Ca- deficient rats fed Al (Ca (-) + Al) for 3, 6, and 9 days, comparing that of the normal- diet rats fed Al (N + Al) for the same period. The Al concentration in the small intestine increased on the third day after Al, and then decreased to the normal level on the 6th day in both N + Al and Ca (-) + Al rats. However, that of the Ca (-) + Al rats increased significantly compared to N + Al rats on the 9th day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)