Aluminum pots as a source of dietary aluminum

Analysis of aluminum, minerals and trace elements in the milk samples from lactating mothers in Hamadan, Iran

The present cross-sectional study is aimed at analyzing the breast milk of lactating mothers in Hamadan, Iran for aluminum and several minerals and trace elements. Ten governmental health care centers were utilized to facilitate collection of breast milk samples. The breast milk samples were collected at 1, 2, 6, 7, and 12 months postpartum from one hundred healthy lactating women, who delivered full-term newborns. Detection of sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) and aluminum (Al) levels was conducted with the use of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method has shown high accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and linearity for the wide range of concentrations. The accumulated data were not normally distributed; thus, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used in the statistical analysis of the results. Mean concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg, and Na were 0.75, 1.38, 0.35, 255, 34.58, and 155.72 μg/mL, respectively. The mean level of Al, a well-known neurotoxic metal, was determined to be an alarming 0.191 μg/mL. Moreover, 95% of participants contained very harmful concentrations of Al in their milk. This study also revealed Zn deficiency in about 50% of milk samples. Further investigation is needed to elucidate sources of exposure and factors that may influence maternal and fetal exposure to aluminum.

Safety evaluation of dietary aluminum

Aluminum is a nonessential metal to which humans are frequently exposed. Aluminum in the food supply comes from natural sources, water used in food preparation, food ingredients, and utensils used during food preparations. The amount of aluminum in the diet is small, compared with the amount of aluminum in antacids and some buffered analgesics. The healthy human body has effective barriers (skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract) to reduce the systemic absorption of aluminum ingested from water, foods, drugs, and air. The small amount of aluminum (<1%) that is systemically absorbed is excreted principally in the urine and, to a lesser extent, in the feces. No reports of dietary aluminum toxicity to healthy individuals exist in the literature. Aluminum can be neurotoxic, when injected directly into the brains of animals and when accidentally introduced into human brains (by dialysis or shrapnel). A study from Canada reports cognitive and other neurological deficits among groups of workers occupationally exposed to dust containing high levels of aluminum. While the precise pathogenic role of aluminum in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains to be defined, present data do not support a causative role for aluminum in AD. High intake of aluminum from antacid for gastrointestinal ailments has not been reported to cause any adverse effects and has not been correlated with neurotoxicity or AD. Foods and food ingredients are generally the major dietary sources of aluminum in the United States. Cooking in aluminum utensils often results in statistically significant, but relatively small, increases in aluminum content of food. Common aluminum-containing food ingredients are used mainly as preservatives, coloring agents, leavening agents, anticaking agents, etc. Safety evaluation and approval of these ingredients by the Food and Drug Administration indicate that these aluminum-containing compounds are safe for use in foods.

Aluminum contents of human milk, cow's milk, and infant formulas

BACKGROUND

Aluminum toxicity is well documented and contamination of milk formulas has been implicated as the source of accumulation in bone and brain tissues. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the aluminum contents of human milk, cow's milk, and infant formulas.

METHODS

Aluminum contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in samples of human milk in the colostrum, intermediate, and mature stages; infant formulas from eight manufacturers; and various types and brands of commercially available cow's milk.

RESULTS

Mean aluminum concentration was lowest in human milk (23.4 +/- 9.6 microg/l), and did not differ significantly between colostrum, intermediate-stage and mature-stage milk. Mean aluminum concentration was 70 microg/l in cow's milk, and 226 microg/l in reconstituted infant formulas. Aluminum concentrations in infant formulas differed markedly among manufacturers; concentration in milk from one of the manufacturers was particularly high (mean, 551 microg/l; range, 302-1149 microg/l). These values are for milk reconstituted with aluminum-free water under laboratory conditions; formulas prepared with tap water in the University Hospital's infant-feeding unit had even higher aluminum content. Experiments showed that aluminum concentration in the high-aluminum milk could be reduced by more than 70% at the manufacturing stage, by using low aluminum components.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study support the recommendations for infant formula manufacturers to strive to reduce aluminum concentration in their products.

Aluminum exacerbates cyclosporin induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Cyclosporin (CSA) has been universally used as an immunosuppressant for the management of allotransplantation and autoimmune diseases. However, nephrotoxicity of CSA limits its use to optimum level. Aluminum (Al) is an extensively distributed element in the environment and human exposure to this metal is unavoidable. Recent studies suggest that even a slight impairment of renal function may increase the Al body burden significantly, which may lead to neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, osteodystrophy or hypochromic anemia. In the present study, an attempt was made to study the effect of concomitant use of Al and CSA on structure and function of kidney in rats. This study was undertaken in two steps. In the first set of experiments, the effect of single dose of Al (1% Al2(SO4)3 18H2O) on the nephrotoxicity of multiple doses of CSA (12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) was studied, where as in the second set of experiments the effect of multiple doses of Al (0.25%, 0.5% and 1%) on single dose of CSA (50 mg/kg) was undertaken. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 230 +/- 20 g) were used in this study. CSA was given once a day by gavage for seven days, where as Al was given in drinking water for the same period. Twenty four hours after the last dose of CSA, animals were sacrificed and blood and kidney were collected for biochemical and histopathological studies. The bio-chemical parameters included blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), CSA and Al levels. The kidney homogenates were assayed for malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid hydroperoxides (LPH). Treatment of rats with CSA alone produced dose-dependent structural and functional changes in kidney. Although Al alone failed to produce any deleterious effect on renal function, it significantly increased the bioavailability and nephrotoxicity of CSA. Al also exacerbated CSA induced increase in oxidative stress (as evident by increased MDA and LPH). Thus, the exacerbation of CSA nephrotoxicity by Al may be attributed to increased bioavailability of CSA and excessive generation of free radicals following concomitant use of these drugs.

Contribution of aluminum from packaging materials and cooking utensils to the daily aluminum intake

Migration of aluminum (Al) from packaging materials and cooking utensils into foods and beverages was determined at intervals during cooking or during storage by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. High amounts of Al migrated into acidic products such as mashed tomatoes during normal processing in normal, non-coated Al pans. After 60 min cooking an Al content of 10-15 mg/kg was measured in tomato sauce. Surprisingly, the Al concentration was also increased up to 2.6 mg/L after boiling tap water for 15 min in Al pans. Storage of Coca-Cola in internally lacquered Al cans resulted in Al levels below 0.25 mg/L. In contrast, non-coated Al camping bottles containing lime blossom tea acidified with lemon juice released up to 7 mg Al/L within 5 days. The Al concentration in coffee was lower than that of the tap water used in its preparation, even if prepared in Al heaters. In Switzerland, where most pans nowadays are made of stainless steel or teflon-coated Al, the average contribution for the use of Al utensils to the daily Al intake of 2-5 mg from the diet is estimated to be less than 0.1 mg.

Aluminium beverage cans as a dietary source of aluminium

OBJECTIVE

To examine the possibility that aluminium beverage cans contribute to the dietary level of aluminium.

METHOD

The aluminium content of a variety of beverages from aluminium cans and glass containers was measured.

RESULTS

The contents of 106 aluminium cans and bottles representing 52 different beverages all had a higher aluminium content than Newcastle tap water at 1.4 mumol/L, ranging as high as 385 mumol/L. Non-cola soft drinks averaged 33.4 mumol/L from cans and 5.6 mumol/L from bottles. Cola drinks averaged 24.4 mumol/L from cans and 8.9 mumol/L from bottles, whereas beer in cans or bottles averaged about 6 mumol/L.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the aluminium content of beverages from aluminium cans was higher than that from glass containers, and it rose with decreasing pH. Within a given category there was a wide variation in aluminium content. If the speculative link between aluminium intake and Alzheimer's disease is established then beverages from aluminium cans, particularly soft drinks, may be a risk factor.

[Aluminum toxicity]

In view of the increasing pollution of our environment and forest decline, growing interest has been focused on aluminum toxicity. Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals and commonly present in tap water, beverages, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical preparations. Thus everybody is exposed to aluminum to a greater or lesser extent. It is now beyond any doubt that aluminum intoxication may cause encephalopathy, fracturing vitamin D resistant osteomalacia, and microcytic anemia in patients with chronic renal insufficiency as well as in experimental animals. The risk of aluminum intoxication has also to be considered in several other groups. These include elderly individuals with physiologically impaired excretory renal function who are treated with aluminum-containing antacids, patients with chronic liver disease, infants who are fed highly aluminum-contaminated formula at a time when their excretory renal function has not jet fully developed, patients on total parenteral nutrition, and, possibly, patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Aluminium content of foods and diets

Literature data on the aluminium content of individual foods have been compiled, summarized and presented by food groups. The contribution of aluminium from food preparation and cooking utensils and from food additives is discussed. Literature data on the daily intake of aluminium are summarized, and the contribution of food groups to daily aluminium intake is estimated. The major sources of dietary aluminium include several with aluminium additives (grain products, processed cheese and salt) and several that are naturally high in aluminium (tea, herbs and spices). The aluminium that may migrate from aluminium utensils is probably not a major or consistent source of this element. Daily intakes of aluminium, as reported prior to 1980, were 18-36 mg per day. More recent data, which are probably more accurate, indicate intakes of 9 mg per day for teenage and adult females and 12-14 mg per day for teenage and adult males.

Cast aluminum denture base

The laboratory procedures for a cast aluminum base denture have been presented. If an induction casting machine is not available, the "two-oven technique" works well, provided the casting arm is kept spinning manually for 4 minutes after casting. If laboratory procedures are executed precisely and with care, the aluminum base denture can be cast with good results.

Citrate binding of Al3+ and Fe3+

Citrate occurs at about 0.1 mM in blood plasma and is the most likely small molecule plasma binder of both Al3+ and Fe3+. This paper assesses published stability constants for citrate binding to each metal ion. From pH 2 to 5 Al3+ forms a neutral complex with citrate that may be absorbed into the body in the upper regions of the gastrointestinal tract. It is especially dangerous to ingest aluminum-containing antacids with citrus fruit or juices. Ignoring the likely occurrence of a competing 2:1 citrate-Fe3+ complex necessitates adjustments in reported stability constants for Fe3+ binding to transferrin. In the blood, plasma transferrin steals both Fe3+ and Al3+ from citrate.

Aluminum accumulation in individuals with normal renal function

In individuals with normal renal function, oral aluminum may be absorbed, but the kidneys are able to excrete the load, and significant pathology is not seen. If aluminum is given parenterally, however, it can accumulate in tissues and lead to osteomalacia or aplastic bone lesions. Low calcitriol and PTH levels are often seen, and may contribute to the bone disease. These findings in individuals with normal renal function add to the growing body of evidence that aluminum is toxic to bone.

Aluminium toxicity in chronic renal insufficiency

Aluminium is a ubiquitous element in the environment and has been demonstrated to be toxic, especially in individuals with impaired renal function. Not much is known about the biochemistry of aluminium and the mechanisms of its toxic effects. Most of the interest in aluminium has been in the clinical setting of the haemodialysis unit. Here aluminium toxicity occurs due to contamination of dialysis solutions, and treatment of the patients with aluminium-containing phosphate binding gels. Aluminium has been shown to be the major contributor to the dialysis encephalopathy syndrome and an osteomalacic component of dialysis osteodystrophy. Other clinical disturbances associated with aluminium toxicity are a microcytic anaemia and metastatic extraskeletal calcification. Aluminium overload can be treated effectively by chelation therapy with desferrioxamine and haemodialysis. Aluminium is readily transferred from the dialysate to the patient's bloodstream during haemodialysis. Once transferred, the aluminium is tightly bound to non-dialysable plasma constituents. Very low concentrations of dialysate aluminium in the range of 10-15 micrograms/l are recommended to guard against toxic effects. Very few studies have been directed towards the separation of the various plasma species which bind aluminium. Gel filtration chromatography has been used to identify five major fractions, one of which is of low molecular weight and the others appear to be protein-aluminium complexes. Recommendations on aluminium monitoring have been published and provide 'safe' and toxic concentrations. Also, the frequency of monitoring has been addressed. Major problems exist with the analytical methods for measuring aluminium which result from inaccurate techniques and contamination difficulties. The most widely used analytical technique is electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry which can provide reliable measurements in the hands of a careful analyst.

Aluminium coffee percolators as a source of dietary aluminium

The aluminium content of coffee brewed and stored in aluminium percolators was measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Brewing in a new aluminium pot added 0.88 (immediately after brewing ) to 1.18 mg aluminium (after a further 12-hr storage in the pot and reheating ) to each cup of coffee. Percolators which had been used repeatedly were less susceptible to mobilization of aluminium by coffee, and brewing in these increased the aluminium content of each cup of coffee by 0.40 mg immediately after brewing and by 0.58 mg after storage for 12 hr in the pot and reheating . The aluminium content of the ground coffee beans used in this work was relatively high (51.8 ppm). To demonstrate that the bulk of the aluminium measured in the percolated coffee samples were dissolved aluminium and was not part of the aluminium associated with the ground coffee, the dialysable aluminium was measured in some samples of coffee percolated in a new aluminium pot. These data indicate that 61% of the aluminium in the percolated coffee was dialysable immediately after brewing . Samples that were stored in a new aluminium percolator and reheated to 96 degrees C contained 75% dialysable aluminium. Although the levels of aluminium in percolated coffee have been measured, the bioavailability of the aluminium ingested in this way has yet to be determined.

Determination by flameless atomic absorption of aluminium in serum and hair for toxicological monitoring of patients on chronic intermittent haemodialysis

Determination of aluminium in serum of patients on chronic intermittent haemodialysis is of paramount importance in the prevention or early diagnosis of aluminium intoxication. We present a new method based on flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy, in which the serum matrix is destroyed by oxygen. A comparison has been made between the described method and another procedure which is used in the Laboratory of Toxicology in Ghent, with favourable results. In addition, a method is presented for the determination of aluminium in hair, in which special attention has been paid to the cleaning of the hair samples prior to destruction. As yet it cannot be concluded whether aluminium concentrations in hair give a better representation of the body burden than serum levels do.