Endocrinology, Vol 121, 406-413, Copyright © 1987 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Biological effects of aluminum on normal dogs: studies on the isolated perfused bone

T Galceran, J Finch, M Bergfeld, J Coburn, K Martin, S Teitelbaum and E Slatopolsky

Although it is well known that aluminum (Al) plays a role in the development of osteomalacia in patients with chronic renal failure, the mechanisms are not fully understood. Since the osteoblasts are the cells responsible for the formation of osteoid tissue, which is greatly affected in patients with Al-induced osteomalacia, it is possible that Al could affect the number of osteoblasts or interfere with their function. To further characterize this potential mechanism, we performed studies in isolated perfused tibiae from normal and Al- treated dogs. In this system, when PTH is added to the perfusate, cAMP, a major marker of osteoblasts, is released. The dogs were divided into two groups: control, and Al-treated (0.75 mg/kg, iv, 5 days a week for 3 months). Thereafter, the dogs were killed, and the tibiae were perfused in vitro. PTH-(1-34) (3-4 ng/ml) and 3-isobutyl-1- methylxanthine (an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase) were added to the perfusate. Basal cAMP secretion was the same in both groups of dogs. After PTH was added to the perfusate, cAMP increased to a peak of 188.2 +/- 30.6 pmol/min in the normal dogs vs. 113 +/- 8.15 in Al-treated dogs (P less than 0.05). Cumulative cAMP secretion over a 30-min period was 766 +/- 127.9 pmol in the normal dogs vs. 455.6 +/- 38.2 pmol in the experimental animals (P less than 0.05). The histological appearance of bone biopsies taken before and after Al administration are consistent with a suppressive effect of the cation on osteoblast function. In particular, the number of osteoblasts had decreased 8-fold (P less than 0.01) under the influence of Al, and tetracycline-based measurements of mineralization kinetics show that osteoblast-mediated calcification was dysfunctional (P less than 0.01-0.025). On the other hand, the histological features of the post Al treatment biopsies suggest that at some time during its administration, the cation stimulates osteoblastic activity. For example, new (woven) bone formation was present in two dogs, and in another, lamellar bone, deposited under the influence of Al, covered the entire trabecular surface. Moreover, Al-associated osteoid was deposited independent of prior resorptive activity, indicating that the cation promotes bone formation in the absence of prior resorption. In keeping with its trophic effect on matrix deposition, Al also led to extensive marrow fibrosis in five dogs, indicating that Al also stimulates the activity of fibroblasts, cells closely related to osteoblasts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)