Serum and duodenal alkaline phosphatase levels in fed and fasted magnesium deficient rats

Rats depleted of magnesium for 13 days were killed after 18 to 20 hours of fasting or 2 hours after consumption of a standard-sized meal. Serum and duodenal alkaline phosphatase (AP) were reduced in fasted magnesium depleted rats compared to pair-fed and ad libitum-fed controls. With refeeding, serum alkaline phosphatase levels rose significantly in all groups, but the levels in refed Mg deficient rats remained below serum levels of fasted control rats. Inhibition of AP activity with L-phenylalanine and urea suggested that the differences in AP levels of fasted and fed rats were mainly due to enzymes of intestinal origin. Intestinal AP levels increased after feeding in all groups, but were proportionately greatest in Mg depleted rats. The pattern of serum and duodenal AP in fed and fasted rats and the results of polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis (PADGE) in duodenal AP extracts suggest that Mg depletion alters the release of AP into the blood that normally occurs in response to feeding.