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Effect of Magnesium Deficiency on the Distribution of Water and Cations in the Muscle of the Guinea Pig¹

Department of Agricultural Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201

The effect of magnesium deficiency upon the distribution of water between cells and extracellular space in cardiac and skeletal muscle was determined in an attempt to explain the increased concentration of sodium commonly observed in these tissues. One group of weanling pigs was fed ad libitum a purified diet deficient in magnesium, 0.01%, and another group a similar diet supplemented with 0.3% magnesium. The percentage of total water in the skeletal muscle of the deficient animals was significantly higher than that of the controls, but in the case of cardiac muscle there was no difference. Both types of muscle had an elevated concentration of chloride when the animals were magnesium deficient, reflecting a larger extracellular space. The concentrations of total and intracellular sodium of skeletal muscle were significantly increased by magnesium deficiency. Extracellular sodium also tended to be elevated but the difference was not statistically significant. In the cardiac muscle of deficient animals both total and extracellular sodium were significantly increased. Total and intracellular potassium and magnesium were significantly decreased in both muscles and the extracellular magnesium was dramatically depressed as a result of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium plays an important role in the maintenance of electrolyte distribution in muscle tissue.

² From a dissertation submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree, University of Missouri, Columbia, 1968. Present address: Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Manuscript received 21 August 1969.