A study of vertebral bone powder from patients with chronic renal failure.

Bone powder from patients dying with chronic renal failure of more than 1 yr duration was shown to release less calcium and more phosphate when equilibrated with a buffer solution. pH 7.4 at 4 degrees C. This change persisted after removal of the organic component and was associated with a reduction in the bone carbonate content. Crystal size and surface area showed no consistent changes from the controls and it was concluded that an alteration in the apatite crystal composition had occurred in long-standing uremia with carbonate-phosphate interchange. Support for this was provided by synthesis of apatites which were carbonate deficient and behaved in a similar manner to the uremic bones.