Background: Aluminium (Al) intoxication was recognised as a causal agent in p a t i ent s undergoing haemodialysis and then was linked to Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, environmental pollution with Al is mainly v i a drinking water, particularly when acidic rain falls on Al containing soil and bedrock. In addition, aluminium utens i l s are widely used for cooking. Therefore, an increasing concern is emerging for the role of pH in the absorption of aluminium from ingested food.
Materials and methods: The objective of this study was to establish the effect of acidification with1 ml/dL of concentrated acetic acid on the absorption of aluminium from a 5 mM a l u mi n i u m sulphate\ solution taken orally in albino rats. Levels of Al, Ca, Cu, and Fe in plasma. brain, kidney, and liver were measured by atomic absorption.
Results: The results indicate that acidification of Al salt solut ion wi t h acetic acid enhances its absorption. Increased plasma Al level (p<0.05) was associated with increased deposition in all tissues and a reduced overall body mass (p<0.05) and mass of cerebral hemispheres (p<0.01) re la t ive to the controls. The increased plasma levels of Al correlated positively with increased Al deposited in the kidney (r =0.790) l ive r (r = 0.967), and b r a i n (r=0.955) despite the blood brain barrier. Increased Al also correlated negatively with levels of Ca, Cu, and Fe in all tissues except in brain in which there was a positive correlation with Ca deposition.
Conclusion: The study shows an increased absorption and deposition of Al in the tissues from rats ingesting acidified Al solution with acetic acid.
