Magnesium-deficiency elevates circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines and endothelin.
We have developed two rodent models of diet-induced magnesium-deficiency in which histologically defined cardiac lesions can be induced within two to three weeks. During the development of these lesions, the magnesium-deficient animals exhibit circulating cytokine levels which are indicative of a generalized inflammatory state. Dramatic elevations of the macrophage-derived cytokines, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha together with significantly elevated levels of the endothelial cell-derived cytokine, endothelin, were detected in the plasma of these animals. We believe that the pathophysiological effects caused by the action of these cytokines may play a role in the promotion of cardiovascular pathology associated with magnesium deficiency.
Weglicki
W B
WB
Department of Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
Phillips
T M
TM
Freedman
A M
AM
Cassidy
M M
MM
Dickens
B F
BF
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006224:Cricetinae; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D016232:Endothelins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D016207:Cytokines; D016232:Endothelins