Long-term oral aluminum administration in rabbits. II. Brain and other organs.

Aluminum (Al) was given orally as a citrate salt in either hard or soft water in combination with low or normal dietary calcium intake over the duration of 12 months using 60 healthy, young adult male New Zealand white rabbits, age four to seven months, divided into six groups. Although decreased weight gain was noted, no significant histological changes were found in the central or peripheral nervous system or in multiple other organs except for liver, nor were tissue levels of Al elevated in brain or liver. However, Al in renal tissue was increased after 52 weeks of treatment in Group 1 (which received Al and a low calcium diet), in spleen in Groups 1 and 2 (on Al and a low calcium diet), and in bone in Group 1. Thus, although the mature intestine acts as a relatively impermeable barrier, some Al is, in fact, absorbed and deposited.