RESUMO
The nature of uremic nephrocalcinosis was studied by means of X-ray microanalysis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. The data show that calcified deposits in the renal parenchyma of uremic rats contained substantial amounts of calcium, magnesium, aluminum and silicon. Since calcificates did not reveal a uniform composition they were arbitrarily divided into 3 categories: 'high-calcium' with Mg:Al:Si: Ca molar ratios 7:3:8:37; 'low-calcium' particles were characterized by Fe:Mg:Al:Ca:Si molar ratios 7:3:5:6:13; while 'intermediate-calcium' particles showed Al:Mg:Si:Ca molar ratios equivalent to 2:4:6:7. The variability of calcified deposits in the renal parenchyma of 5/6 nephrectomized rats might be due to different sources, different environmental conditions along the nephron and different stages of calcification process. It is suggested that aluminum and silicon content of deposits may be of value in further characterization of uremic nephrocalcinosis.