Complement activation, phagocytosis, tumor growth and parasitic infection after magnesium supplementation in diet of mice.

Very little study has been devoted to Mg2+ supplementation in the diet and the effects produced upon biological functions. In the present study, mice were given supplemental amounts of MgCl2 or MgSO4 in the feed ration, while the following were examined: activation of serum complement, phagocytosis, growth of tumor transplants and infections with Trichinella spiralis. Increased complement activation, increased phagocytosis, decreased tumor growth and decreased severity of parasitic infection were observed in mice fed Mg2+ supplement. It is not yet certain how Mg2+ functions in order to produce an enhancement of resistance in the susceptible naive animal.