Silicon Metabolism

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Abstract
In 36 patients suffering from chronic renal failure (mean creatinine clearance 26 ml/min), serum silicon levels were significantly increased (mean 0.52 μg/ml compared with 0.265 μg/ml in normals; p < 0.005). Urinary silicon excretion per 24 h was significantly decreased (15.71 mg/24 h compared with 21.4 mg/24 h in normals; p < 0.001). Fractional excretion of silicon (FESi) was significantly increased in chronic renal failure (p < 0.001), with overall tubular secretion of silicon in 33% of patients. Urinary excretion of silicon was significantly related to urinary calcium excretion (p < 0.0001) urinary magnesium excretion (p < 0.0001) creatinine clearance (p < 0.05) and sodium excretion (p < 0.05). It is suggested that urinary silicon is in the form of orthosilicate, principally bound to calcium and magnesium; and that in chronic renal failure the increase in FEsi, and the decrease in absorbed Si from the gastrointestinal tract, moderate the increase in plasma silicon levels and prevent excessive entry of silicon into the tissues.

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