Experimental studies on the magnesium deficiency

Histochcmical research-Part I

Abstract

These studies investigated the histochemical changes of tooth periodontal tissue and bone when magnesium-deficient rats were fed on high or low calcium deeds. The results are summarized as follows.
1. The tooth and periodontal tissue
The alkaline phosphatase activity was less seen in the magnesium deficient rats fed on low calcium and high calcium than that of control rats. The acid phosphatase activity was strongly seen in the same way in both experimental (after 4-week feeding) and control rats. Among the dehydrogenase, isocitric, lactic and succinic dehydrogenase activities were seen less in magnesium deficiency than in normal control rats.
2. The knee joint
The alkaline phosphatase activity of the magnesium-deficient groups was less seen regardless of the calcium contents than that of control rats. The acid phosphatase activity was strongly seen both in control and in magnesium-calcium deficiency cases. The more calcium the food contained, the less was the dehydrogenase activity.
These results suggest that magnesium and calcium play an important role in the formation of the hard tissues.