Accumulation of aluminum in ferritin isolated from rat brain

The neurotoxic effects of aluminum have been widely reported but the mechanism of action and detoxification is poorly understood. To investigate the toxic potential of aluminum, we found it necessary to detail the behavior of absorbed aluminum in brain. The aim of this study was to clarify the distribution of aluminum in the brain. Rats were exposed to aluminum lactate intraperitoneally for 7 weeks. Although no marked differences in aluminum content was observed in brain regions, aluminum was eluted by gel filtration chromatography of the ferritin fraction from aluminum-loaded brain extracts; 5.9% of the total brain aluminum was recovered in purified ferritin from aluminum-loaded rat brains. These results suggest that ferritin may function as an aluminum detoxicant in the cell. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.