The status of magnesium in rabbits with experimentally-induced diabetes mellitus.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency may be a factor in the etiology of cardiovascular disease. In the present study, magnesium status was assessed in rabbits 10 weeks following the administration of a diabetogenic dose of alloxan which resulted in significant hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. Decreased erythrocyte magnesium levels were apparent after 6-8 weeks, although no corresponding changes in the magnesium concentration of plasma were apparent. Depletion of magnesium was also observed in left ventricle, spleen, lung, pancreas and aorta. Insulin treatment (for 4 weeks) after 6 weeks of diabetes, prevented the magnesium depletion in both the tissues and red blood cells. Our results provide evidence for alterations in magnesium handling in an experimental model of chronic diabetes.