Silicon Metabolism

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 (FE_Si) 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 FE_si, 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.

Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy

“…For example, the highest silicon concentration has been measured in connective tissues, especially in the aorta, tracheas, bone, and skin. Low levels of silicon in the form of ortho-silicic acid [42-44] may be found in liver, heart, muscle, and lung [45]. It is therefore plausible to assume that observed decrease of silicon concentration in the ageing population may be linked to several degenerative disorders, including atherosclerosis.…”

Investigation of Exhaled Breath Samples from Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and an Exhaled Breath Sensor System

“…Chemical compounds such as 1-phenantherol and ethyl 3-cyano-2,3-bis (2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-acrylate belong to the group of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are mostly produced by lipid peroxidation, and are in the form of secondary metabolites or intermediate products in the body [ 31 ]. One study has shown that silicon can be secreted in bile, and subsequently it affects the lipid metabolism of the body.…”

Canine Silica Urolithiasis in Mexico (2005–2018)

“…It was also possible to detect in mixed uroliths and compound uroliths different proportions of silica with mixtures of other minerals such as struvite, calcium oxalate, cystine, and ammonium urate, increasing the frequency of silica-containing uroliths to 17.4% of the population studied. Other authors have also mentioned a mixture of silica with other minerals such as struvite and calcium oxalate stones [ 18 ].…”

“…In a study in Kenya, the consumption of corn and/or water with a high concentration of silica was suggested as a possible cause of this disease in native dogs [ 17 ]. In epidemiological studies, it has been reported that the majority of canine cases occur in the males of large breeds, such as Golden retrievers, Labradors, and German Shepherds, and the disease rarely occurs in small animals, such as Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, and Shih Tzus, or in crossbreed dogs [ 18 , 19 ].…”