Antioxidants and the cardiomyopathy of Mg-deficiency.

Abstract

For several decades the animal models of Mg-deficiency have been studied with particular attention to the cardiomyopathy that develops due to dietary deficiency. In recent years we have studied the effects of nutrients and drugs with antioxidant properties on the development of the cardiomyopathy. We have found that treatment of the Mg-deficient animals with alpha-tocopherol, a naturally-occurring antioxidant, significantly diminishes the number and size of lesions. In addition, treatment with lipophilic drugs with antioxidant properties (probucol, propranolol) or water-soluble drugs that scavenge hydroxyl radicals (captopril, epicaptopril), also provided significant protection. In view of these findings, we suggest that chronic hypomagnesemia results in a pro-inflammatory condition leading to excessive production of oxygen-derived free radicals. Subsequently, the tissue antioxidant capacity is overwhelmed and oxidative tissue destruction results.

• Authors: W B Weglicki, S Bloom, M M Cassidy, A M Freedman, A H Atrakchi, B F Dickens
• Journal: The American journal of cardiovascular pathology (Am J Cardiovasc Pathol) Vol. 4 Issue 3 Pg. 210-5 ( 1992) ISSN: 0887-8005 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1298297 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
• Antioxidants
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Vitamin E
• Propranolol

Topics

• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Cardiomyopathies (prevention & control)
• Cricetinae
• Magnesium Deficiency (complications)
• Models, Biological
• Propranolol (pharmacology)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Vitamin E (pharmacology)