Magnesium and Zinc Dose-Dependently Stabilize Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells and Enhance the Effects of Adrenaline.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Magnesium and zinc are vital trace elements found in numerous foods and dietary supplements. In addition to their antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects, clinical research has suggested that they possess anti-allergic properties.

METHODS

Using differential-interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, we examined the effects of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) on rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation. We also examined their effects in conjunction with adrenaline, the first-choice drug for anaphylaxis treatment.

RESULTS

Both MgCl2 and ZnCl2 reduced the number of degranulating mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. MgCl2 significantly decreased the number of degranulating mast cells at concentrations of 50 mM or higher, whereas ZnCl2 achieved similar effects at much lower concentrations of 25 µM or more. These levels of MgCl2 or ZnCl2 enhanced the inhibitory effects of 1 mM adrenaline on mast cell degranulation. Additionally, pharmacological inhibition of the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 7 (TRPM7) by NS8593 reduced the number of degranulating mast cells in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to provide in vitro evidence that magnesium and zinc stabilize mast cells in a dose-dependent manner and also enhance the effects of adrenaline. TRPM7, which has higher permeability to zinc ions than to magnesium ions, may contribute to the stronger mast cell-stabilizing properties of zinc.