Low molecular mass aluminum complex speciation in biofluids

Formation constants for the aluminum phosphate system and particle size analyses for solutions containing this material are reported. From a database of (i) the total ligand and metal concentrations in saliva, stomach juice, small intestinal fluid, milk, blood plasma and intravenous fluid, and (ii) physicochemical constants for all feasible reactions involving low molecular mass complexes, a series of computer models was constructed and used to calculate the distribution of chemical species at equilibrium. The pie-diagrams of speciation indicate that some aluminum complexes exist as net-neutral charged species (which are potentially bioavailable) whereas others are charged and so are highly solvated and/or removed by the renal system. The chemical speciation knowledge produced in this research can be useful in researching aluminum intoxication, prevention and decontamination therapies.