Magnesium Sulfate Attenuates Lethality and Oxidative Damage Induced by Different Models of Hypoxia in Mice

Mg²⁺ is an important cation in our body. It is an essential cofactor for many enzymes. Despite many works, nothing is known about the protective effects of MgSO₄ against hypoxia-induced lethality and oxidative damage in brain mitochondria. In this study, antihypoxic and antioxidative activities of MgSO₄ were evaluated by three experimental models of induced hypoxia (asphyctic, haemic, and circulatory) in mice. Mitochondria protective effects of MgSO₄ were evaluated in mouse brain after induction of different models of hypoxia. Antihypoxic activity was especially pronounced in asphyctic hypoxia, where MgSO₄ at dose 600 mg/kg showed the same activity as phenytoin, which used as a positive control (P < 0.001). In the haemic model, MgSO₄ at all used doses significantly prolonged latency of death. In circulatory hypoxia, MgSO₄ (600 mg/kg) doubles the survival time. MgSO₄ significantly decreased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl and improved mitochondrial function and glutathione content in brain mitochondria compared to the control groups. The results obtained in this study showed that MgSO₄ administration has protective effects against lethality induced by different models of hypoxia and improves brain mitochondria oxidative damage.