Protective effect of magnesium nitrate against neurological disorders provoked by cerebral ischemia in rats

The study examined effects of inorganic magnesium agents: magnesium nitrate Mg(NO3)2, magnesium sulfate MgSO4, and magnesium chloride MgCl2 on the development of neurological disorders and mortality in rats resulting from cerebral ischemia provoked by a single-stage bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries. The rats were injected with one of examined magnesium preparations (5 mg/1 kg body weight) 1 h prior to or 1-2 sec after occlusion. The control group rats were treated with physiological saline at the same terms. Irrespective of the moment of injection, magnesium nitrate demonstrated significant protective effect on dynamics of neurological disorders and mortality, while similar effects of magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride were insignificant.