title: Magnesium deficiency in the rat increases tissue levels of docosahexaenoic acid.
abstract: The effects of magnesium deficiency on tissue levels of total lipids and fatty acids were evaluated. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a magnesium-deficient diet for 14 wk with controls being pair-fed to the deficient rats. Compared to the controls, serum and 24-h urinary magnesium levels were markedly lower in the magnesium-deficient rats. Serum cholesterol and total phospholipids were significantly higher in the magnesium-deficient rats than in the controls. Edema and polycystic degeneration of the kidneys were present in the magnesium-deficient rats. Kidney total phospholipids and triacylglycerols were significantly lower in the magnesium-deficient rats than in the controls. The main change in tissue fatty acid composition in magnesium deficiency was the higher docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) in serum, liver and aorta than in controls. The possible relationship of these findings to human alcoholism is discussed.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cunnane
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soma
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: McAdoo
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Horrobin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004032:Diet; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000032:analysis*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D007668:Kidney / Q000032:analysis; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010743:Phospholipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D002784:Cholesterol; D008274:Magnesium