Abstract
To clarify the effect of magnesium deficiency on thiamine metabolism, Wistar strain rats were divided into six groups. Group 1 was given a thiamine deficient and magnesium deficient diet, group 2 a thiamine deficient and magnesium sufficient diet, group 3 a thiamine adequate and magnesium deficient diet, group 4 a thiamine adequate-magnesium sufficient diet (control), group 5 a thiamine excess (10 times of the amount of thiamine in the control diet) were added and magnesium deficient diet, and an excess thiamine and magnesium sufficient diet was given to the sixth group. These dietary regimens were performed for 4 weeks. Thiamine deficient-magnesium deficient and thiamine deficient diet caused the most severe growth depression and magnesium deficient diet caused moderately growth depression to the animals. Animals fed a thiamine containing magnesium deficient diet (group 3 and 5) produced erythema in ear and nose after three weeks of these dietary regimens. Plasma and bone magnesium was decreased in magnesium deficient groups. This decrease, however, was lower in thiamine deficient-magnesium deficient group than thiamine supplemented-magnesium deficient groups. Thiamine content in liver, kidney or sciatic nerve in magnesium deficient rats was lower than that in magnesium sufficient rats. On the other hand, no decrease of thiamine was detected in central nervous tissues of magnesium deficient rats. Ratio of free thiamine to total thiamine in brain and liver revealed no difference among the groups.
