Aromatic amines (serotonin and histamine) and magnesium deficiency in the rat

Rats were made deficient by giving a 4 mg Mg/100 g diet. The control diet content was 40 mg Mg/100 g. Serotonin injected to magnesium deficient and control rats was metabolized at the same rate in both groups and the urinary derivatives were similar. Serotonin catabolism can occur in liver as shown by isolated hepatocyte technique. Hyperemia of the ears and dermatosis appeared in magnesium deficient rats, while histaminemia rised. This allergy-like crisis was delayed and milder, when the food intake was reduced. The evolution of histaminemia was studied in parallel with the different white blood cells, during three periods of magnesium deficiency. An important rise of total white blood cells, specially poly morphonuclear and eosinophil cells was observed. The peak for eosinophils occured before the histaminemia and basophils peaks. Basophils cells found only in magnesium deficient group were partly degranualted.