thromboxane-b2 and Magnesium-Deficiency

Functional biological markers or biomarkers are now available for many nutrients which are used as nutritional status markers. Most sources of these biomarkers are products or precursors of enzymatic processes that can be measured in serum and plasma. At this time measurements of total or ionized magnesium (Mg) in serum, plasma, cellular components, urine or Mg retention from a load test are performed, but they may not always reflect Mg nutritional status. Biomarkers for Mg are needed which would reflect changes in biochemical processes where Mg is involved. Biomarkers for Mg need to be identified and evaluated in both animals and humans, with a determination of possible factors that may affect the reaction and biomarker concentrations. Some possible biomarkers for Mg include the following: Na/K ATPase, thromboxane B2, C-reactive protein, and endothelin-1. Other possible biomarkers for Mg need to be identified.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphatases; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Endothelin-1; Humans; Magnesium Deficiency; Nutritional Status; Thromboxane B2

Treatment of HIV with AZT (zidovudine) may have toxic side effects as a result of multiple mechanisms. It is known that patients with AIDS may suffer from magnesium deficiency (MgD). We studied selected biochemical and histopathologic consequences of AZT administration (0.7 mg/mL in drinking water) with concurrent Mg-deficient (20% of normal) diet in male C57Bl/6N mice for 3 wk. Significant decreases in red blood cell glutathione (GSH) were evident in the Mg-deficient mice with or without AZT treatment, suggesting compromised antioxidant capacity in the blood. Although MgD alone led to a 1.9-fold increase in plasma thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2), derived from the highly vasoconstrictive TXA(2)), AZT + MgD increased the TXB(2) level 3.5-fold. AZT (+/-MgD) provoked prominent hepatic damage expressed by distortion of lobular architecture, nuclear and cellular swelling, and inflammatory lesions and loss of hepatocytes. AZT alone caused mild cardiac lesions, resulting in partial cardiac fibrosis, especially in the atrium. AZT + MgD caused only scattered small-size cardiac lesions consisting of microscopic foci of inflammatory infiltrates in the ventricles but led to more prominent lesions, fibrosis, and scars in the atrium. MgD or AZT alone caused varying degrees of skeletal muscle degeneration; in combination, more intense degeneration and regeneration of muscle cells were evident. In conclusion, it is suggested that both the decreased blood GSH and elevated plasma TXA(2) might contribute, at least in part, to the aggravated pathological damages observed in the atrium and skeletal muscle of the AZT-treated Mg-deficient mice.

Topics: Animals; Anti-HIV Agents; Glutathione; Heart Diseases; Liver; Magnesium Deficiency; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Muscle, Skeletal; Myocardium; Thromboxane B2; Zidovudine

Severe Mg deficiency changed mineral homeostasis, induced membrane damage, increased lipid peroxidation and cytokine concentrations, and reduced immunocompetence. In order to investigate whether the pathobiochemical effects correlate directly with the degree of Mg deficiency or whether there might be a threshold with no detectable effects above, diets with 70, 110, 208, 330 and 850 ppm Mg were fed to growing Wistar rats. After feeding the diets for 0, 10, 20 and 30 days parameters of free radical action (malondialdehyde and vitamin E content), mineral content (Mg, Ca, Fe) in various tissues (liver, spleen, heart, kidney, muscle) and plasma parameters (Mg, Ca, Fe, alanine- and aspartate-aminotransferase) were measured. After 30 days 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, thromboxane B2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) were additionally analyzed. Tissue Mg content was either unchanged or only slightly reduced in severe Mg deficiency. Tissue Fe content rose when the extracellular Mg concentration was below 0.25 mM. There was a close positive correlation between tissue Fe and malondialdehyde content, and malondialdehyde was negatively correlated with vitamin E content. Below a threshold of about 0.25 mM plasma Mg concentration, transaminases increased in plasma. The same threshold could be observed for the increase of tissue Ca content, except in the kidney where calcifications were found already in mild Mg deficiency. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha were increased when the plasma Mg concentration was below 0.15 mM, and thromboxane B2 was increased when plasma was lower than 0.25 mM. IgG and IgA were significantly reduced below 0.25 mM plasma Mg and IgM below 0.4 mM plasma Mg. Mild Mg deficiency, therefore, can be compensated and might not lead to pathological symptoms if not combined with other pathobiological conditions.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Alanine Transaminase; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Body Weight; Electrolytes; Erythrocytes; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Magnesium Deficiency; Male; Malondialdehyde; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Thromboxane B2; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Vitamin E

Deficiency of magnesium with cardiovascular effects is thought to be related to alterations in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) in the vasculature. Measurements were made of the PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) outflow from the perfused isolated mesenteric arterial bed and the fatty acid composition of the tissue in rats maintained for 14 weeks on a low magnesium (LMg) diet. The serum Mg levels were significantly decreased and the serum Ca levels were significantly increased in the LMg group as compared to the controls. The arachidonic acid concentration in the triacylglyceride fraction was significantly increased in the LMg group. Long chain polyunsaturates such as 22:4n6 and 22:6n3 were consistently increased in the LMg rats as compared to the controls in both the phospholipid and triglyceride fractions as previously reported in other tissues. The PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TxB2 outflows were significantly increased in the LMg group as compared to the controls. These findings suggest that the biosynthesis of eicosanoids, mainly PGI2, is stimulated in Mg deficiency, and this may provide protection against intracellular Mg depletion and Ca accumulation, so as to counteract to the constricted and hyperreactive state of the vasculature in such a condition.

Topics: Animals; Blood Pressure; Calcium; Fatty Acids; Magnesium; Magnesium Deficiency; Male; Mesenteric Arteries; Prostaglandins; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Thromboxane B2; Time Factors

Plasma and tissue concentrations of prostanoids PGE2, PGF2 alpha. 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (a stable metabolite of prostacyclin) and TXB2 (a stable metabolite of thromboxane A2) were measured in normal and magnesium-deficient rats. The mean values for prostanoids in plasma were significantly higher in magnesium-deficient rats than in normals (515 +/- 43 vs 296 +/- 31 pg/ml for 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, p less than 0.01, 3700 +/- 322 vs 346 +/- 33 pg/ml for TXB2, p less than 0.001 and 1234 +/- 132 vs 434 +/- 51 pg/ml for PGE2, p less than 0.001). Tissue levels of prostanoids were also significantly higher in magnesium-deficient rats as compared to normals. The increased synthesis of prostanoids is apparently linked to enhanced influx and translocation of Ca++ into the cells. If the adenylate cyclase is inhibited in magnesium deficiency, the lowered c-AMP will permit a high cyclooxygenase activity and a drastic increase in TXB2. It is possible that the changes in prostaglandin synthesis in magnesium deficiency are linked to the development of different diseases.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Animals; Arachidonic Acid; Arachidonic Acids; Calcium; Cyclic AMP; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Female; Magnesium Deficiency; Prostaglandins; Prostaglandins E; Prostaglandins F; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Thromboxane B2; Thymus Gland