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Influence of graded magnesium deficiencies on white blood cell counts and lymphocyte subpopulations in rats
R Van Orden1, D L Eggett, K B Franz
1Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.
Abstract:
Increased white blood cell counts or leukocytosis have been observed primarily in young rats fed diets extremely low in Mg (< 60 ppm) and high in phosphorus (0.5 % P). We investigated the influence that acute and moderate Mg deficiencies have on blood leukocytes at high and low dietary phosphorus levels. For four weeks, male Sprague-Dawley rats (initially 7 weeks old) were fed diets containing 30, 60, 120, 208, or 850 ppm Mg and either 0.3 % or 0.5 % dietary phosphorus. Total leukocytes were increased in rats fed 30 ppm Mg (p < 0.0001), and the leukocyte subpopulation counts of lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils increased significantly only in the rats fed 30 ppm Mg (p < 0.0001). B-cells decreased significantly as a percentage of lymphocytes (p < 0.0093) as dietary Mg decreased. As total counts in blood, B-cells, CD4 and CD8 cells were significantly increased in the rats consuming the 30 ppm Mg diet. Dietary phosphorus only had an effect in combination with the lowest dietary Mg. These results demonstrate a threshold effect for increased leukocytes during a Mg deficiency of four weeks. A Mg deficiency of a longer duration may show different results.
Insights
Magnesium deficiency in rats significantly increased white blood cell counts, particularly lymphocytes and neutrophils. This effect was most pronounced at very low magnesium levels, indicating a threshold for immune response.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition science
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Leukocytosis, or increased white blood cells, is linked to severe magnesium deficiency.
- The interplay between dietary magnesium and phosphorus in modulating immune cell populations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of acute and moderate magnesium deficiencies on blood leukocyte profiles.
- To assess the influence of varying phosphorus levels in conjunction with magnesium deficiency.
Main Methods:
- Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets with varying magnesium (30-850 ppm) and phosphorus (0.3% or 0.5%) concentrations for four weeks.
- Total leukocyte counts and differential counts of leukocyte subpopulations (lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, B-cells, CD4+, CD8+ cells) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in total leukocytes was observed in rats fed 30 ppm magnesium.
- Lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils increased significantly only at 30 ppm magnesium.
- B-cells decreased as a percentage of lymphocytes with decreasing magnesium, but increased in total blood counts at 30 ppm magnesium.
- Dietary phosphorus influenced leukocyte counts only when combined with the lowest magnesium level.
Conclusions:
- A threshold effect exists for increased leukocytes during a four-week magnesium deficiency.
- Acute and moderate magnesium deficiency, especially at very low levels, impacts leukocyte populations.
- Longer-term magnesium deficiency may yield different hematological outcomes.
