Mast cell increase in the duodenum and kidney of magnesium-deficient rats

Rats were maintained on a magnesium-deficient diet for 1 to 5 weeks to study the mast cell (MC) populations in their duodenum and kidney. A marked increase of intestinal subepithelial mast cells was observed in these animals as compared with normal controls. The cells in both groups showed an identical reaction for mucopolysaccharides but the 5-hydroxytryptamine content tended to be higher in the cells of magnesium-deficient animals. Proliferation of MC was also observed in the renal cortex of the magnesium-deficient rats. This finding is significant because MC are known to be virtually absent from normal kidneys. Magnesium deprivation resulted in numerous MC not only in the intertubular spaces but also within the glomeruli. Possible correlations between these and other pertinent observations are discussed with regard to certain renal diseases. The discussion is extended to the possible mechanism through which magnesium could influence secretory processes in MC.