Amyloid and amyloid-like proteins are found in many diseases including Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, spongiform encephalopathies, and chronic renal failure. Citrate in concentrations of 0.1 mM to 10 mM can dissolve amyloid-like protein aggregates of β-2 microglobulin and amyloid β peptide(1-40) presumably by chelating calcium. Citrate can be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and crosses the blood brain barrier where the concentration of citrate is two to three times the plasma concentration. Citrate administered orally or parenterally may be an effective low-risk treatment and a prevention for diseases characterized by amyloid-like deposits. Clinical trials are needed.
