Aluminum induced bone and joint disease overview and current perspective

thus humans are constantly exposed to this element. Little has been known about it’s metabolism and toxicity until the mid twentieth century. Aluminum is present in all tissues and organs in the body and when there is excessive accumulation multiple organ systems are effected by this metal (1). The important diseases induced by aluminum toxicity include dementia, anemia, myopathy, bone and joint disease (2-5). The potentially fatal encephalopathy of aluminum toxicity causes lethargy, seizures, speech difficulties, coma and eventually death. The dementia is caused by neurofiabrillary changes with degeneration of neurons in the brain with amyloid deposits, resembling the changes seen in Alzheimer disease, however there is no evidence that Alzheimer disease is caused by toxic levels of aluminum. The myopathy results in loss of coordinated movement, tremors and muscle spasms. The anemia is microcytic and is often the first sign of aluminum toxicity. 2003/1 OSTEOLOGIAI KÖZLEMÉNYEK 17