Evidence for a toxic effect of aluminum on osteoblasts: A histomorphometric study in hemodialysis patients with aplastic bone disease

To evaluate the potential role of aluminum (Al) in a subset of dialysis patients with aplastic bone disease, we have studied tetracycline-labeled bone biopsies of 32 patients (22 males and 10 females, 45-73 years) on maintenance hemodialysis. Selection criteria included normal resorption surfaces (RS) and osteoid thickness. Eleven patients (Group I) had no stainable bone Al (Al-; 61.7 +/- 7.2 years) and 21 (Group II) had stainable bone Al (Al+;...