Magnesium deficiency affects the pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions in magnesium-deprived rats.
A group of 11 young albino rats was fed with a Mg2+ free diet. After a few days, the animals showed typical signs of Mg2+ deficiency, consisting in skin vasodilation, red conjunctiva and hair loss. Pentylenetetrazol (50 mg/kg i.p.) injected in these rats, 6 and 12 days after the beginning of the diet, elicited a more severe convulsive activity compared with that shown by a control group of 12 rats. These results suggest that a Mg2+ deficiency, though not necessarily responsible for the convulsive activity, may contribute to facilitate an epileptic episode or may lead to more severe convulsions. The possibility of a more powerful activation of the NMDA receptors in Mg2+ deficiency is discussed.
Lopiano
L
L
Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Turin, Italy.
Chelazzi
L
L
de'Sperati
C
C
Tempia
F
F
Strata
P
P
D000818:Animals; D003292:Convulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D051381:Rats; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism
D003292:Convulsants; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole