title: Magnesium-deficiency elevates circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines and endothelin.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Weglicki
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Dickens
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016232:Endothelins