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Prolonged Magnesium Deficiency Causes Osteoporosis in the Rat

Dept Physiol and Pharmacol, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, ISRAEL, Dept of Orthopedics and Dept of Dialysis, University Hospital, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, GERMANY

Address reprint requests to: G. Stendig-Lindberg, G., MD, LRCPI, FRSM, Dept Physiol and Pharmacol, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, ISRAEL. E-mail: lindberg{at}post.tau.ac.il

Background: Peroral magnesium (Mg) administration, used as the only treatment in postmenopausal osteoporosis, has been shown to cause a significant increase of BD.

Objectives: To gauge the role of magnesium deficiency in the etiology of osteoporosis, we compared rats fed a Mg deficient diet daily with rats fed a Mg adequate diet over a period of one year.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley female rats (mean weight 110, SD 23g) were divided into two groups of 8 and randomly assigned to an identical semisynthetic diet, containing either 2000ppm (group A) or 200ppm Mg (group B). Urine samples were collected every 3 months and blood samples at end of trial. After sacrifice, L3–L5 vertebrae and the femoral regions were examined for bone density (BD) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The femurs were examined for bone fragility, the tibias by histomorphometry and the mineral contents of the bones was estimated.

Results: The mean BD of L3–L5 vertebral bone (BDL) was significantly higher in group than in the Mg deficient group B (p = 0.035, 1 tail). The BD of the femoral region (BDF) was also significantly higher in group A (p = 0.045, 1 tail). The stiffness of the femur, as determined by resistance to bending, was slightly greater in group A than in group B, but after correction to diminish the influence of the difference in bone dimensions in the two groups, the stiffness (ie loss of elasticity) in group B became significantly greater than that in group A (p = 0.024). The force needed to break the bone (F-max) was significantly higher in group A, than in group B (p = 0.024) and remained so after correction, although no longer significantly. In Group B, the diminution of the trabecular bone volume, in relation to tissue volume (BV/TV) and the increase in the degree of trabecular interconnection (TBPf) indicated osteoporosis, and focal osteoporosis of the metaphyseal spongy bone was seen on microscopy.

Conclusion: Experimentally induced prolonged Mg deficiency causes osteoporosis in rats.

Key words: prolonged magnesium deficiency, osteoporosis, rats

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				R. K. Rude, F. R. Singer, and H. E. Gruber Skeletal and Hormonal Effects of Magnesium Deficiency J. Am. Coll. Nutr., April 1, 2009; 28(2): 131 - 141. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]