The effects of sucralfate ingestion on serum and specific tissue aluminum concentration in normal rats.

The effects of sucralfate ingestion on serum and specific tissue aluminum (Al) accumulation were studied in normal rats fed either a control diet or the same diet supplemented with sucralfate. Although serum Al concentrations were not significantly different between the groups, animals fed sucralfate for 8 weeks had significantly higher bone but not brain or liver Al concentrations when compared with controls. This study indicates that 8 weeks exposure to Al in sucralfate leads to an increase in bone Al concentrations, without changes in serum Al concentrations, suggesting that serum Al concentration may be a poor predictor of gastrointestinal absorption and specific tissue retention of Al.