Silicon level in rats with chronic renal failure produced by 5/6 nephrectomy.

Serum, erythrocyte and renal tissue silicon levels in normal Wister rats and in rats with chronic renal failure were examined. The relationship between serum, erythrocyte and renal tissue Si levels, and markers of renal function (BUN, serum creatinine), markers of anemia (RBC, Hb, Hct) and markers of bone formation (serum calcium, phosphate) were studied. Serum and erythrocyte Si levels were directly correlated with the markers of renal function and with serum Pi and serum Ca x P, and inversely with the markers of anemia. Renal tissue silicon levels, on the other hand, correlated only with the markers of anemia.