Aluminum in tissues.

Patients with aluminum accumulation show a heterogeneous distribution of the element throughout the body which is different from normals. In chronic renal failure, aluminum has been implicated in dialysis encephalopathy, vitamin D-resistant osteomalacia and microcytic hypochromic anemia. Disparities are observed between aluminum distribution and organ dysfunction. In patients with severe renal failure and aluminum overload, aluminum shows a heterogeneous distribution throughout the brain. The mechanisms of aluminum toxicity remain largely unknown. Desferrioxamine administration results in decreases of tissue aluminum levels and in regression of aluminum-associated pathology.