Histological changes in the gastric mucosa of magnesium deficient rats.

The gastric mucosa of Sprague-Dawley male rats was studied histologically following a magnesium-deficient diet fed for 4, 8, 16, 30, 45 or 60 days. Control animals were given either the same diet supplemented with magnesium sulphate or Purina Laboratory Chow. Magnesium deficient animals showed the following prominent changes: vasodilatation, fewer surface mucous cells, as well as a diminution of theintracellular and the extracellular mucus, and structural disorganization of the upper third of the mucosa. No changes were noted in the controls. A possible interrelation of magnesium deficiency, histamine production and gastric mucosa is proposed.