Mg deficiency induces mineral content changes and oxidative stress in rats

We have studied the effect of Mg deficiency on both tissue mineral content and liver oxidative status. Male Wistar rats kept for eight weeks on a Mg-deficient diet (Mg 152ppm) quickly developed a severe plasma Mg deficiency (73% decrease). The content of Cu and Fe significantly increased in different tissues following the treatment. Liver glutathione, CuZn-superoxide dismutase, and vitamin E were significantly reduced (by about 16%, 18% and 30% respectively). Lipid peroxidation, induced in vitro by NADPH/ADP-Fe3+ and measured as MDA formation, increased by about 100% after 20 min incubation in liver microsomes isolated from Mg-deprived rats. The alterations found in the content of transition metals and in the level of both cytosolic and membrane antioxidants, as well as the higher sensitivity of liver microsomes to lipid peroxidation in vitro, are consistent with an oxidative stress occurring in vivo in the tissues of Mg-deficient animals.