Magnesium deficiency has been implicated in the development of
atherosclerosis and late
diabetic complications, diseases often associated with increased oxidative stress. Present study was carried out to examine the effect of
magnesium deficiency on oxidative stress and total radical trapping
antioxidant parameter (calculated) in rats and correlate it with the development of
free radical mediated diseases. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups and pair fed for six weeks with low
magnesium diet (70 mg/kg) and control diet (990 mg/kg) prepared synthetically. Deionized water was given ad libitum. Low
magnesium diet caused a significant decrease in plasma and red blood cell
magnesium levels. A marked increase in plasma
malondialdehyde and corresponding decrease in total radical trapping
antioxidant parameters (calculated) were observed in the low
magnesium diet group than control group. The level of plasma
glucose increased moderately in the low
magnesium diet group.
Hypertriglyceridemia and significantly decreased plasma HDL (
high density lipoprotein)-cholesterol levels were observed in the low
magnesium diet group. The results clearly demonstrate that
magnesium deficiency is associated with increased oxidative stress through reduction in plasma
antioxidants and increased lipid peroxidation suggesting that the increased oxidative stress may be due to increased susceptibility of body organs to
free radical injury.