The biochemistry of silicic acid

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Abstract
A study was made of the soln. of silica and silicate dusts in body fluids. The yield of silicic acid in soln. was detd., by the amt. of solid used. Blood serum and ascitic fluid dissolved about the same amt. of silica but the rate of soln. was slower in the former. Some mineral forms of silica (quartz) yielded as much silica in soln. as was obtained with freshly precipitated gelatinous silicic acid. Part of the dissolved silica, probably that in colloidal soln.. was removed by ultrafiltration. The free forms of silica dissolved more readily than the silicates studied. Oral administration of siliceous materials led in some cases to the excretion of extra silicic acid in the urine. Different mineral substances influenced the excretion to different degrees. Free silica was attacked to a variable extent depending on its physical and chemical condition. Several silicates were apparently un-attacked and led to no increase of urinary silica. Some complex silicates suffered partial decomposition by the hydrochloric acid of the stomach, with partial soln. of some of the products in the intestine and an increase of silica output in the urine. Intraperitoneally administered silica led to small increases in urinary silica excretion. The increases were most marked with the free forms of silica. Inhalation expts. with mineral dusts gave inconclusive results. Inhalation of amorphous silica led to increased elimination of silicic-acid in the urine.

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