EFFECTS OF RENAL-FAILURE

The multiple features of the syndrome of uremia are a result of the retention of a wide variety of metabolic end products. Although a number of metabolites have been incriminated as "the uremic toxin," none of them accounts for all aspects of uremia. It is likely that the uremic syndrome is a result of the pathological effects of many retained substances. Of major current interest is the development of toxicity in brain, bone and other tissues due to accumulation of aluminum. The recognition of aluminum toxicity may have implications not only in patients with impaired renal function but also in other disease states. © 1990 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists.