Toxic Effects Of Aluminum Research Articles

Germination and seed vigor of Phaseolus vulgaris submitted to treatments whit aluminum sulfate

The varieties creole are traditionally grown plant, adapted in places where the crops are developed and present in seeds banks of many famers. Thus the objective of this study was to investigate the performance of the germination process and possible toxic effects. Were used seeds of creole cultivars of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), using different concentrations of aluminum. We used a randomized completely design with four repetitions of 25 seeds and the treatments were distributed in 4 x 5 factorial scheme, consisting of four bean cultivars (Carioca, Butter, Black, Red) and five concentrations (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mg L-1) of aluminum sulfate. The characteristics analyzed were percentage of germination, percentage of abnormal seedlings, germination speed index, root length, length of the base of the seedling to the hypocotyl, hypocotyl length of seedlings to the epicotyl, root dry mass and shoot dry mass. The variables germination percentage and germination speed index were not affected by the toxic effect of aluminum. The variables percentage of abnormal seedlings, root length and shoot showed a significant reduction with the increase in aluminum sulfate concentrations, thus showing a greater correlation between them.
 Keywords: Aluminum; Fabaceae; Physiological quality; Toxicity

Evaluation of bioaccumulation and toxic effect of aluminum and molybdenum oxide nanoparticles used as an active component of bactericidal agents

Introduction. Nanoparticles (NPs) of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and molybdenum oxide (MoO3) have the potential to be used as an active component of bactericidal agents. At the same time, there is information in the scientific literature about the negative effects of these NPs on organism. Given that, it seems relevant to perform the study and comparative analysis of the toxicity of Al2O3 and MoO3 NPs.
 Materials and methods. We examined physical properties of Al2O3 NPs and MoO3 NPs. In an experiment on Wistar rats, peculiarities of bioaccumulation and toxic action at multiply inhalation exposure was researched. 
 Results. The examined samples were a nanomaterial judging by such parameters as particle size, shape, surface area and total pore volume. Under exposure to Al2O3 NPs, aluminum concentrations were statistically significant increase in the lungs, brain, liver and blood relative to the control; under exposure to MoO3 NPs – molybdenum concentration in heart, lungs, brain, kidney and blood. Under exposure to MoO3 NPs, a wider range of negative effects changed relative to the control of biochemical parameters (increased activity of ALP, LDH, concentrations of total and direct bilirubin, urea, creatinine) was established than during exposure to Al2O3 NPs (increased activity of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, concentrations direct bilirubin).
 Pathomorphological changes were identified in the lungs, brain, heart and liver under exposure to 
 Al2O3 NPs; in lungs, brain and liver under exposure to MoO3 NPs in the lungs.
 However, tissue changes upon exposure to MoO3 NPs are more pronounced than those upon exposure to Al2O3 NPs. 
 Limitations. The study involved only multiple inhalation exposure to Al2O3 NPs and MoO3 NPs in an experiment on Wistar rats.
 Conclusion. Differences in the toxicokinetics of Al2O3 and MoO3 NPs do not make it possible to single out among them those that are more dangerous for human health, and therefore additional studies are needed.

Selenium-rich yeast counteracts the inhibitory effect of nanoaluminum on the formation of porcine neutrophil extracellular traps

Aluminum is widely used in daily life due to its excellent properties. However, aluminum exposure to the environment severely threatens animal and human health. Conversely, selenium (Se) contributes to maintaining the balance of the immune system. Neutrophils exert immune actions in several ways, including neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that localize and capture exogenous substances. Despite the recent investigations on the toxic effects of aluminum and its molecular mechanisms, the immunotoxicity of aluminum nanoparticles on pigs and the antagonistic effect of selenium on aluminum toxicity are poorly understood. Here, we treated porcine peripheral blood neutrophils with zymosan for 3 h to induce NETs formation. Then, we investigated the effect of nanoaluminum on NETs formation in pigs and its possible molecular mechanisms. Microscopy observations revealed that NETs formation was inhibited by nanoaluminum. Using a multifunctional microplate reader, the production of extracellular DNA and the burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in porcine neutrophils were inhibited by nanoaluminum. Western blot analyses showed that nanoaluminum caused changes in amounts of cellular selenoproteins. After Se supplementation, the production of porcine NETs, the burst of ROS, and selenoprotein levels were restored. This study indicated that nanoaluminum inhibited the zymosan-induced burst of ROS and release of NETs from porcine neutrophils, possibly through the selenoprotein signaling pathway. In contrast, Se supplementation reduced the toxic effects of nanoaluminum and restored NETs formation.

Concurrent effect of aluminum toxicity and phosphorus deficiency in the root growth of aluminum tolerant and sensitive rice cultivars

Concurrent effect of aluminum toxicity and phosphorus deficiency in the root growth of aluminum tolerant and sensitive rice cultivars

SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND PHYTODIVERSITY OF RIPARIAN FOREST LAND NEAR NANWAN LAKE

The riparian zone of reservoir is a spatially fluctuating ecotone (between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems) and is an important area for nutrients’ circulation and materials’ flow. Riparian forest plays an important role in the stability of riparian habitat. As yet, the relationship between soil chemical properties and biodiversity of riparian forest near reservoir has not been thoroughly elaborated. In this study, we analyzed the soil chemical properties (total nitrogen and carbon, available phosphorous and kalium) and community structure characteristics of trees (diameter at breast height, tree height, canopy width), shrubs and herbaceous (Shannon diversity index, Simpson dominance index, species richness index, Pielou uniformity index) in the riparian forest land at the tail section that is a part of Nanwan lake reservoir in China. Results showed that the structure of riparian forest near reservoir of Nanwan lake represents a stable community. There was no significant difference in soil chemical properties and vegetation biodiversity between the type of centre’s island and the type of peninsula. The range of the nutrients’ content in forest land (nеar Nanwan lake reservoir), respectively, is: total carbon (TC) – 7,8–19,5 g/kg, total nitrogen (TN) – 0,72–1,49 g/kg, available phosphorous (AP) – 1,89–3,83 mg/kg, available kalium (AK) – 48,0–100,5 mg/kg. The soil pH value of the riparian forest land near Nanwan Lake reservoir is low due to strong acid reaction, so the toxic effects of aluminum should be considered. In the RDA analysis, the first axis is explained 73,16 % of the biodiversity factors of trees, shrubs and herbaceous, and the second axis – 6,48 %. The reflection of the presence of shrub-herbaceous layer in the values of the chemical properties of soil is significant: this layer is an important source of soil organic matter in the coastal zone and has a positive effect on soil quality. Therefore, attention should be paid to maintaining the stability of community structure in understory shrub-herbaceous layer.

Antagonistic Effect of Aluminium Toxicity and Water Deficiency on the Virulence of Pyrenophora teres in Barley

Antagonistic Effect of Aluminium Toxicity and Water Deficiency on the Virulence of Pyrenophora teres in Barley

Effects of Aluminium Toxicity on Root and Shoot Growth Of Rice and Chickpea Seedlings

Increasing concentrations of aluminium progressively declined primary root length and number of lateral roots in rice and chickpea seedlings grown in rhizobox. It also inhibited the root and shoot length, dry weight of root and shoot of rice and chickpea seedlings grown in solution culture. On the other hand, it enhanced shoot/root length ratio and dry weight ratio for both the genera. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1195-1201, 2021 (December)

Comparison of aluminum toxicology and homeopathic Alumina: a mixed methods study

Toxicology forms part of homeopathy. The founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, incorporated many toxicological symptoms in his Materia Medica. These symptoms are part of the information homeopathic practitioners relay on to choose the appropriate medication for their patients. This medication is administered in form of ultra-high dilutions. Hahnemann also developed Materia Medica on the base of provings done with high diluted substances only – simply because these substances did not have a known toxicology at his time. Alumina is one of these substances. Today we possess a reliable toxicology of aluminum and its compounds. The objective of this study was to determine the grade of concordance between homeopathic (highly diluted) Alumina and aluminum toxicology. A striking concordance will add to evidence of homeopathically potentized substances. 
 
 The present was a literature-based investigation conducted from a phenomenologist stance. The design is a novel one. Symptoms of aluminum intoxication were obtained from case reports published in scholarly journals. 70 original research articles containing case-reports of 5 aluminum-induced diseases served for the extraction of over 300 symptoms. These symptoms were compared to Hahnemann´s Alumina proving symptoms. 
 
 A review of modern investigations of the toxic effects of aluminum showed that the conventional medical paradigm and basic science are just starting to explore the huge number of noxious effects the metal has on human, animal and plant health. Qualitative explorations of the relevant homeopathic literature (toxicology in homeopathy and Alumina in randomized controlled trials) resulted in the finding that toxicology plays a minor role in modern homeopathy and that Alumina has been poorly investigated. 
 
 The result of the quantitative part of this study – the comparison of proving and toxicology obtained from clinical cases – shows an uneven picture. It leads to only partly significant concordances between symptoms from both sources which are strong in core areas of Alumina´s remedy action while the overall comparison shows a coincidence of 50.76% (39.76% for symptoms probably produced by UHDs). 
 
 This study has to be seen as a pilot for a literature-based proof of the evidence of homeopathic potencies. There remains much to be done, especially in the realm of homeopathic proving and its design. Hahnemann´s procedure – to rely on sensible provers – should be reconsidered. The reproving of Alumina should be envisaged.
 
 Keywords: Homeopathy, proving, toxicology, homeopathic pathogenetic trial (HPT), Alumina, aluminum

Toxic Effects of Aluminium on Female Reproductive System in Presence of Ethanol Coexposure

Both aluminium and ethanol are pro-oxidants and toxic. Uncontrolled use of aluminium and increasing trends of ethanol consumption in India increased the chance of coexposure to aluminium and ethanol. There are possibilities, that both of them follow common mechanisms to produce reproductive toxicity. The present study was planned to identify the effects of aluminium administration on the microscopic structure of ovary and to clarify any possible protection conferred by the concomitant administration of ethanol. Sixteen female rats divided into one control and three experimental groups exposed to aluminium (4.2mg/kg body weight) and ethanol (1gm/kg body weight) for 3 months. After the exposure period, ovaries were processed for light microscopic examination. Ovary showed significant atretic follicles with degenerated ova and vacuolation. Rupture of zona pellucida in oocyte seen in aluminium treated animals. Ethanol treated group showing absence of growing follicles, increased large corpora lutea. Dilated and congested vessels were observed in the growing follicle. The effects of combined administration of aluminium and ethanol treated groups showed with acute degeneration of growing follicles, with desquamation of pyknotic granulosa cells and degenerated oocyte. Multiple vacuoles of degenerated granulosa cells with dilated congested vessels and edema seen. Hyaline material seen inside the degenerating follicles. It has been suggested that the ethanol induced augmentation of impacts of aluminium on the Ovary.

The adjuvant aluminum fate – Metabolic tale based on the basics of chemistry and biochemistry

Aluminum is inevitable component of many vaccines. The benefit of the vaccines is undeniable but effects of aluminum toxicity might be underestimated and neglected. In this review, we highlighted the mechanims of aluminum toxicity, which is still in debate. So far, all the papers that disscused the adverse aluminum effects pointed two mechanisms responsible for Al toxicity, direct Al toxicity and aluminum induced cell damage via the oxidative metabolism. According to our knowledge, which is based on basic principles of biochemistry and inorganic chemistry, we suggested that aluminum highly interferes with iron metabolism eventually resulting in iron-mediated cell damage. More importantly, in this paper, we offered easily feasible solutions, in order to avoid aluminum toxicity in the future. We suggest that as it once was, Calcium Phosphate again to be used as the adjuvant or better solution that the vaccine adjuvants should be based on zinc compounds or even better would be non-metal adjuvants, such as microcrystalline tyrosine and monosodium urate. Until an adequate adjuvant is provided, we suggest instant postponement of vaccination with vaccines which use aluminum as the adjuvant until the 12 months of age.

Regulation of mGluR1 on the Expression of PKC and NMDAR in Aluminum-Exposed PC12 Cells.

Aluminum demonstrates clear neurotoxicity and can cause Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like symptoms, including cognitive impairment. One toxic effect of aluminum is a decrease in synaptic plasticity, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. In this study, PC12 cells were treated with Al(mal)3 to construct a toxic cell model. (S)-3,5-Dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG), and mGluR1-siRNA were used to interfere with the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1 (mGluR1). Polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to investigate the expression of mGluR1, protein kinase C (PKC), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits. ELISA was used to detect PKC enzyme activity. In PC12 cells, mRNA and protein expressions of PKC and NMDAR subunits were inhibited by Al(mal)3. Aluminum may further regulate the expression of NMDAR1 and NMDAR2B through mGluR1 to regulate PKC enzyme activity, thereby affecting learning and memory functions. Furthermore, the results implied that the mGluR1-PKC-NMDAR signaling pathway may predominately involve positive regulation. These findings provide new targets for studying the neurotoxic mechanism of aluminum.

The role of aluminum and lead in the development of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

The article summarizes the data available in the literature on the toxic effects of aluminum and lead on the human brain and assesses the relationship of these effects to the etiopathogenesis of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The accumulation of ions of these metals in the brain structures leads to chronic intoxication that is manifested by the morphological signs that are typical for Alzheimer's disease, such as deposits of β-amyloid and τ-protein mainly in the frontal and temporal regions of the cortex, and for Parkinson's disease, such as degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra and their accumulation of α-synuclein. The most likely forms of participation of aluminum and lead ions in the mechanisms of neurodegeneration are the replacement of bivalent metal ions necessary for brain functioning, oxidative stress initiation, epigenetic modifications of histones, and increased expression of noncoding ribonucleic acids.

Exogenous spermidine alleviates the adverse effects of aluminum toxicity on photosystem II through improved antioxidant system and endogenous polyamine contents

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major yield-limiting factor for crops in acidic soils. In this work, we have investigated the potential role of spermidine (Spd) on Al toxicity in rice chloroplasts. Exogenous Spd markedly reduced Al concentration and elevated other nutrient elements such as Mn, Mg, Fe, K, Ca, and Mo in chloroplasts of Al-treated plants. Meanwhile, Spd further activated arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activity of key enzyme in polyamine (PA) synthesis, and enhanced PA contents in chloroplasts. Spd application dramatically addressed Al-induced chlorophyll (Chl) losses, inhibited thylakoid membrane protein complexes degradation, especially photosystem II (PSII), and significantly depressed the accumulations of superoxide radical (O2·-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in chloroplasts. Spd addition activated antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased soluble sugar content in chloroplasts compared with Al treatment alone. Spd not only reversed the inhibition of photosynthesis-related gene transcript levels induced by Al toxicity, but diminished the increased expression of Chl catabolism-related genes. Furthermore, Chl fluorescence analysis showed that Spd protected PSII reaction centers and photosynthetic electron transport chain under Al stress, thus improving photosynthetic performance. These results suggest that PAs are involved in Al tolerance in rice chloroplasts and can effectively protect the integrity and function of photosynthetic apparatus, especially PSII, by mitigating oxidative damage induced by Al toxicity.

Physiological and Biochemical Response of a Hot-Spring Cyanobacterium Nostoc Sp. Strain HKAR-2 to Aluminum Toxicity

Aluminum is an undesirable water pollutant released by water treatment plants and metal processing industries that exhibit enormous toxic effects on water bodies. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of aluminum toxicity on the physiological and biochemical behavior of a hot-spring cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain HKAR-2. The growth of cyanobacterium was declined up to 33% by increasing aluminum concentration from 0.2 to 0.6 mM at pH 7.5 as compared to control (non-treated). However, the growth had further declined up to 87 and 92% by decreasing the pH to 6.0 and 5.0, respectively, as compared to control (pH 7.5) after 12 days of treatment. The amount of protein, chlorophyll, mycosporine-like amino acids, phycobiliproteins, extracellular and intracellular macronutrients such as phosphate and nitrate contents, and nitrate reductase activity was also declined at pH 7.5 as compared to non-treated control. In addition, aluminum also altered the sodium and potassium ions in both extracellular and intracellular environments. There was an increase in the activity of antioxidative enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbic peroxidase (APX) ranging from 58, 79, and 40%, respectively, at 0.6 mM aluminum. The increase in intracellular concentration of aluminum was directly proportional to the inhibition of cyanobacterial growth at pH 7.5. In conclusion, aluminum showed acute toxicity on the hot-spring cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain HKAR-2, which indicates that aluminum may adversely affect the microbiota of hot-spring habitats.

Genotoxicity produced in the epithelial cells of the oral cavity and Comet assay in urinary tract of workers in aluminum factories

Whilst being environmentally abundant, aluminum is not essential for life. On the contrary, aluminum is a widely recognized neurotoxin that inhibits more than 200 biologically important functions and causes various adverse effects in plants, animals, and humans. The acute toxicity of aluminum is low. No acute effects due to dietary exposure to aluminum have been observed in the general population. A compendium is provided of aluminum compounds used in industrial settings, and as pharmaceuticals, food additives, cosmetics and as other household products. In our current study, the genotoxicity of aluminum was evaluated in epithelial cells by Micronucleus assay in buccal cells and Comet assay in urinary tract cells, 50 samples were taken from the workers in the aluminum factory and 50 samples as control. The results showed significant increased in the average of the affected cells (8.86 ± 1.36) and the average total cell total (51.66 ± 18.19) in urinary tract while the average of damage cells (72.02 ± 8.99) and It is noted that the mean micronuclei (1.61±29.80) and the average abnormality in all cells (3.06 ±92.54) while the Mni(51.28 ±10.61). These results suggest that the estimation of cellular genetic damage in epithelial cells by Micronucleus assay and Comet assay estimation is important to know the toxic effects of aluminum.

Emergence and physiological behavior of provenances of pinhão manso in function of level of aluminum

The aluminum in high levels in the soil affects the emergence, growth, and development of various species. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the emergence and physiological behavior of four provenances of Jatropha curcas subjected to different levels of aluminum. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design, with four levels of aluminum in the soil (8.2, 16.5, 24.0 mmolc·dm-3 and control) and four provenances of J. curcas seeds (P1 = Dourados-MS, P2 = Montes Claros-MG, P3 = Alta Floresta-MT, and P4 = Petrolina-PE); the effects of aluminum toxicity were investigated in 25, 50, 75, and 100 days after emergence. The levels of aluminum in the soil were collected from the initial soil correction, which featured an aluminum level of 24.0 mmolc dm-3. The seedling emergence was not affected by treatment with aluminum; however, the height and leaf area of P1, P2, and P3 were reduced with increasing levels of aluminum. The emergence and vigor of J. curcas seeds were not influenced by the differences in the origins of the seeds or by the aluminum levels evaluated. Gas exchanges were affected negatively by aluminum and the responses of the chlorophyll a fluorescence indicate harmful effect in the photosynthetic apparatus. The seeds of origin P4 (Petrolina-PE) has increased tolerance to stress conditions.

Effects of aluminium toxicity on some biochemical components of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of aluminium (Al) toxicity on reducing and total sugar, proline, total amino acid and protein in rice seedlings grown in solution culture and phenolic compounds, chlorophyll and carotenoids in rice plants grown in sand culture. Exposure of rice seedlings to different concentrations of aluminium (10 - 150 μM) led to a stimulation of reducing and total sugar in the root and the shoot. Similarly, Al stress increased proline and total amino acid contents in different parts of rice seedlings. Aluminium toxicity caused a significant increase in phenolic compounds in rice plants. On the other hand, aluminium stress resulted in a reduction of chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and carotenoid contents in the leaves of rice plants.
 Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 29(1): 125-132, 2020 (January)

Aluminum toxicity reduces the nutritional efficiency of macronutrients and micronutrients in sugarcane seedlings

ABSTRACT Although the effects of aluminum on the content and accumulation of mineral nutrients in crops have been studied, but nothing is known about its effect on the nutritional efficiency of sugarcane. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of aluminum toxicity on nutritional efficiency, nutrient accumulation, and growth of sugarcane seedling. Sugarcane seedlings of the genotype IACSP95-5000, obtained from one-bud mini-cuttings (3 cm), were used in the test. Seedlings were subjected to treatments in a completely randomized design, with eight Al concentrations in the nutrient solution (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 mg L−1) and three replicates, totaling 24 experimental units. Analyses determined the contents, accumulation, and absorption, transport, and use efficiency of macronutrients, micronutrients, and aluminum, in addition to dry matter production. The results show that Al affected all variables analyzed, with a decrease in the nutritional efficiency of macronutrients and micronutrients and a drastic decrease in the accumulation of macronutrients in the aerial part, which reflected in the decrease in the dry matter of the plants. The root system was the most affected, with a decrease in growth of up to 60%. Aluminum reduced the use efficiency of nutrient in decreasing order: Ca (69%)> N (60%)> K (59%)> Mg (50%)> S (49%)> P (40%). As for micronutrients, the following decreasing order was observed: Fe (73%)> Zn (59%) = Cu (59%)> Mn (25%).

Abscisic acid induced cellular responses of sub1A QTL to aluminium toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) was studied for aluminium (Al) sensitivity through functioning of sub1A quantitative trait loci in rice cultivars. sub1A quantitative trait loci bearing cv. Swarna Sub1 was found almost compatible with non sub1A quantitative trait loci bearing cv. Swarna for abscisic acid accumulation all through the aluminium concentrations. However, abscisic acid was self inductive by over expression of its biosynthetic gene in nine-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 3 (NCED3) more in cv. Swarna than other. The effect of abscisic acid pretreatment was variable for specific leaf weight, leaf mass ratio and others for the cultivars. Bio-accumulation of aluminium had revealed the sensitivity of toxicity more in cv. Swarna than other. In connection to oxidative stress generation of reactive oxygen species was detected by both histochemical and in vitro assays through hematoxylin, Evans blue and schiff's reactions. Abscisic acid pretreatment had significantly reversed the effects of aluminium toxicity for reactive oxygen species generation. Regardless of varieties sensitivity of aluminium was more prone in shoot than root as detected by nitro blue tetrazolium and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine mediated signalling. Activity in metal chelation in extra cellular spaces monitored through esterase activity and that also established independence of abscisic acid pretreatment for cv. Swarna Sub1. The specific polymorphism of esterase at protein level strengthened the bio-monitoring of aluminium through the rice varieties as well its modulation with abscisic acid. Abscisic acid has been discussed an important effectors to modulate the tolerance pathway of rice cultivars through intrusion of sub1A quantitative trait loci.

Aluminium release by coated and uncoated fluid-warming devices.

The use of fluid-warming systems is recommended for infusion rates >500ml.h-1 to avoid peri-operative hypothermia. Some fluid-warming devices use disposable aluminium-heated plates for heat transfer, but there is no protective coating to separate the fluid from the heated aluminium surface. It is unknown if this could promote release of aluminium into infusion fluids. We investigated a coated (Fluido compact) and an uncoated (enFlow) fluid-warming device using normal saline or balanced electrolyte solution as infusion fluids, pumped through the heated disposables at flow rates of 2, 4 and 8ml.min-1 for 60min each. Aluminium concentrations in the fluid samples were analysed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. With saline the coated and uncoated devices yielded aluminium concentrations below the level of quantification (<128μg.l-1 ). Similarly, balanced electrolyte solution in the coated device yielded aluminium concentrations <128μg.l-1 . However, balanced electrolyte solution in the uncoated device yielded aluminium concentrations of up to 6794 (3465-8002 [1868-7421]) μg.l-1 . Repeating this last study at a flow rate of 2ml.min-1 resulted in quite high aluminium concentrations when the uncoated device was not heated (~1000μg.l-1 ) and higher concentrations after the device was heated. We conclude that using uncoated aluminium plates in fluid-warming systems can lead to a risk of administering potentially harmful concentrations of aluminium when balanced crystalloid solutions are used. The mechanism is unclear, but heat is in part involved. Coating for aluminium within medical devices in direct contact with infusion fluids should be recommended.