Effect of dietary magnesium on development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

The effect of dietary magnesium (Mg) on the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits was investigated. Male New Zealand White rabbits (n = 31) were placed on five kinds of diets: regular, 1% cholesterol, and 1% cholesterol diets supplemented with either 300, 600, or 900 mg (as Mg) of Mg sulfate. The regular and 1% cholesterol diets contained 400 mg of Mg per 100 g. Each rabbit received 100 g daily of the appropriate diet. Additional Mg was well tolerated and did not affect blood pressure or body weight. The rabbits were sacrificed after 10 weeks, and the oil red O-positive atherosclerotic area that covered the aortic intima and the cholesterol content of the aorta was measured. Additional Mg decreased both the area of the aortic lesions and the cholesterol content of the aortas in a dose-dependent manner. The 1% cholesterol diet significantly increased plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration. Additional Mg had no further effect on cholesterol and HDL cholesterol concentrations, but it slightly decreased the rise in triglyceride concentration. These results indicate that dietary Mg prevents the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits by inhibiting lipid accumulation in the aortic wall.