Electroacupuncture plus on-demand gastrocaine for refractory functional dyspepsia: Pragmatic randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Treatment options for functional dyspepsia (FD) refractory to pharmacological treatments are limited but the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) is uncertain. We assessed the effectiveness of EA combined with on-demand gastrocaine. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, assessor-blind, randomized parallel-group 2-arm trial on Helicobacter pylori negative FD patients of the postprandial distress syndrome subtype refractory to proton pump inhibitor, prokinetics, or H2 antagonists. Enrolled participants were block randomized in a 1:1 ratio, with concealed random sequence. The treatment and control groups both received on-demand gastrocaine for 12 weeks, but only those in treatment group were offered 20 sessions of EA over 10 weeks. The primary endpoint was the between-group difference in proportion of patients achieving adequate relief of symptoms at week 12. RESULTS: Of 132 participants randomly assigned to EA plus on-demand gastrocaine (n = 66) or on-demand gastrocaine alone (n = 66), 125 (94.7%) completed all follow-up at 12 weeks. The EA group had a compliance rate 97.7%. They had a significantly higher likelihood in achieving adequate symptom relief at 12 weeks, with a clinically relevant number needed to treat (NNT) value of 2.36 (95% CI: 1.74, 3.64). Among secondary outcomes, statistically and clinically significant improvements were observed among global symptom (NNT = 3.85 [95% CI: 2.63, 7.69]); postprandial fullness and early satiation (NNT = 5.00 [95% CI: 2.86, 25.00]); as well as epigastric pain, epigastric burning, and postprandial nausea (NNT = 4.17 [95% CI: 2.56, 11.11]). Adverse events were minimal and nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: For refractory FD, EA provides significant, clinically relevant symptom relief when added to on-demand gastrocaine (ChiCTR-IPC-15007109).

Effects of magnesium citrate, magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate supplementation on arterial stiffness in healthy overweight individuals: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness is closely related to the process of atherosclerosis, an independent cardiovascular risk factor, and predictive of future cardiovascular events and mortality. Recently, we showed that magnesium citrate supplementation results in a clinically relevant improvement of arterial stiffness. It remained unclear whether the observed effect was due to magnesium or citrate, and whether other magnesium compounds may have similar effects. Therefore, we aim to study the long-term effects of magnesium citrate, magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate on arterial stiffness. In addition, we aim to investigate possible underlying mechanisms, including changes in blood pressure and changes in gut microbiota diversity. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 162 healthy overweight and slightly obese men and women will be recruited. During a 24-week intervention, individuals will be randomized to receive: magnesium citrate; magnesium oxide; magnesium sulfate (total daily dose of magnesium for each active treatment 450 mg); or placebo. The primary outcome of the study is arterial stiffness measured by the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f), which is the gold standard for quantifying arterial stiffness. Secondary outcomes are office blood pressure, measured by a continuous blood pressure monitoring device, and gut microbiota, measured in fecal samples. Measurements will be performed at baseline and at weeks 2, 12 and 24. DISCUSSION: The present study is expected to provide evidence for the effects of different available magnesium formulations (organic and inorganic) on well-established cardiovascular risk markers, including arterial stiffness and blood pressure, as well as on the human gut microbiota. As such, the study may contribute to the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in slightly obese, but otherwise healthy, individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03632590 . Retrospectively registered on 15 August 2018.

The protective effects of modified palygorskite on the broilers fed a purified zearalenone-contaminated diet.

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of dietary modified palygorskite (Pal) supplementation on broiler chickens fed a purified zearalenone (ZEN)-contaminated diet. A total of 144 1-day-old male chicks were allocated to one of the 3 treatments, with each treatment being composed of 6 replicates of 8 birds each. The birds were fed with a control diet (Control group), the ZEN-contaminated diet (2.0 mg ZEN/kg diet), and the ZEN-contaminated diet supplemented with 1.0 g/kg diet of modified Pal for 42 d, respectively. Compared with control group, feeding ZEN-contaminated diet reduced weight gain and feed conversion efficiency of broilers during the finisher and overall experimental period (P < 0.05), while the values of these parameters in broilers fed the diet contaminated with ZEN increased after modified Pal administration (P < 0.05). ZEN challenge increased the 21-d serum aspartate aminotransferase and 42-d serum alanine aminotransferase activities, 42-d relative liver weight, and ZEN residues in the liver at both 21 and 42 d and kidney at 42 d (P < 0.05). In contrast, birds fed the ZEN-contaminated diet that was supplemented with modified Pal exhibited lower serum alanine aminotransferase activity at 42 d, relative liver weight at 42 d, and hepatic and renal ZEN accumulation at both 21 and 42 d (P < 0.05), when compared with their counterparts fed the contaminated diet. ZEN contamination decreased superoxide dismutase activity in the serum at 21 d, kidney at 42 d, and liver at both 21 and 42 d, respectively (P < 0.05). The hepatic and renal malondialdehyde accumulation at 42 d increased, while renal glutathione level at 42 d decreased, when feeding broilers with the ZEN-contaminated diet (P < 0.05). Dietary modified Pal supplementation reduced hepatic malondialdehyde accumulation, whereas increased renal superoxide dismutase activity in broilers fed a ZEN-contaminated diet at 42 d (P < 0.05). This finding suggested that dietary modified Pal administration could promote growth performance, reduce hepatonephric ZEN residues, and improve liver function and antioxidant status of broiler chickens receiving a ZEN-contaminated diet.

Dose-Dependent Absorption Profile of Different Magnesium Compounds.

Magnesium, one of the basic elements for the human body, is necessary for many physiological functions. Magnesium deficiency is widely observed as a result of the reduced nutrient content of foods, over-cooking, diseases, drugs, alcohol, and caffeine consumption. Taking a dietary supplement is necessary magnesium deficiency. It has been demonstrated that absorption of organic magnesium compounds is better than absorption of inorganic compounds. The aim of this study is to investigate transitions to tissues of different organic magnesium compounds in different doses and whether there is a difference in the organic acid-bounded compounds (magnesium citrate and magnesium malate) and the amino acid-bounded compounds (magnesium acetyl taurate and magnesium glycinate), associated with transition and bioavailability. In addition, the effects of split dosages of high doses in a high volume of solvent on tissue magnesium levels are being investigated, because galenic formulation problems are regarded to prepare convenient dosage that can be taken once a day. All magnesium compounds were administered as three different doses, 45, 135, and 405 mg/70 kg elemental magnesium, were given per orally to Balbc mice. In a second set of experiments, 405 mg/70 kg high dose was divided into two doses of 202.5 mg/70 kg each and administered every 12 h. Brain, muscle tissues, and serum magnesium levels measured in all experimental groups and control 24 h later. Brain magnesium levels were found increased in all magnesium acetyl taurate administered subjects. Magnesium citrate increased muscle and brain magnesium levels in a dose-independent manner. We showed that dividing high doses of daily administered magnesium compounds did not sufficiently increase tissue magnesium levels. Although passive paracellular mechanism by solvent drag is the main mechanism of Mg absorption, other factors (electrochemical gradient effects, transcellular transporter mechanisms, magnesium status) should be effective on our results. It is necessary for further research on long-term administration of different magnesium compounds and their effect on other tissues.

Effects of palygorskite composites on growth performance and antioxidant status in broiler chickens.

This work aimed to investigate the effects of the palygorskite (PAL) composites on the growth performance and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. A total of 192 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups. Broilers were fed basal diets supplemented with either 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CTC group), 1 g/kg ZnO/PAL (ZnO/PAL group), or 1 g/kg chitooligosaccharides/ZnO/PAL (COS/ZnO/PAL group), respectively. The results showed that PAL composites were found to exhibit similar effects on growth performance as CTC (P > 0.05). ZnO/PAL and COS/ZnO/PAL enhanced the activity of serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) compared with CTC both at 21 and 42 d (P < 0.05). Compared with the CTC group, COS/ZnO/PAL enhanced serum catalase (CAT) activity at 21 d (P < 0.05), and decreased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content at 42 d (P < 0.05). Compared with the CTC group, ZnO/PAL decreased duodenal mucous MDA content at 21 d, while ZnO/PAL did not affect activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH-Px in the duodenum (P > 0.05). The duodenal mucous activities of SOD and GSH-Px were the highest in the COS/ZnO/PAL group at 42 d (P < 0.05). At 21 d, broilers in the COS/ZnO/PAL group had the lowest MDA content and the highest total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Palygorskite composites decreased ileum mucous MDA content compared with CTC treated broilers at 21 d (P < 0.05). At 42 d, ileum mucous T-AOC was increased both in the ZnO/PAL and COS/ZnO/PAL groups compared with the CTC group (P < 0.05). The ileum mucous GSH-Px activities both in the ZnO/PAL and COS/ZnO/PAL groups were increased compared with the CTC group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the broilers given the basal diet supplemented with the PAL composites exhibited similar growth performance to their counterparts in the AGP group. Additionally, the PAL composites improved the antioxidant status of broilers and the beneficial effects of COS/ZnO/PAL on the antioxidant status are more pronounced.

Timeline (Bioavailability) of Magnesium Compounds in Hours: Which Magnesium Compound Works Best?

Magnesium is an element of great importance functioning because of its association with many cellular physiological functions. The magnesium content of foods is gradually decreasing due to food processing, and magnesium supplementation for healthy living has become increasingly popular. However, data is very limited on the bioavailability of various magnesium preparations. The aim of this study is to investigate the bioavailability of five different magnesium compounds (magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, magnesium acetyl taurate, magnesium citrate, and magnesium malate) in different tissues. Following a single dose 400 mg/70 kg magnesium administration to Sprague Dawley rats, bioavailability was evaluated by examining time-dependent absorption, tissue penetration, and the effects on the behavior of the animals. Pharmacokinetically, the area under the curve calculation is highest in the magnesium malate. The magnesium acetyl taurate was found to have the second highest area under the curve calculation. Magnesium acetyl taurate was rapidly absorbed, able to pass through to the brain easily, had the highest tissue concentration level in the brain, and was found to be associated with decreased anxiety indicators. Magnesium malate levels remained high for an extended period of time in the serum. The commonly prescribed dietary supplements magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate had the lowest bioavailability when compared to our control group. More research is needed to investigate the bioavailability of magnesium malate and acetyl taurate compounds and their effects in specific tissues and on behavior.

Effects of different levels of modified palygorskite supplementation on the growth performance, immunity, oxidative status and intestinal integrity and barrier function of broilers.

This experiment was designed to investigate effects of different levels of modified palygorskite (MPal) supplementation on growth performance, immunity, oxidative status and intestinal integrity and barrier function of broilers. A total of 320 1-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned into 5 dietary treatments and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg MPal, respectively, for a 42-day feeding trial. Treatments quadratically reduced feed/gain ratio (F:G) during 1-21 days and linearly decreased average daily feed intake and F:G during 22-42 days, and linearly and quadratically decreased average daily feed intake and F:G during overall period (p < 0.05, 0.50 g/kg treatment showed the lowest F:G). MPal supplementation increased the contents of 21-day jejunal secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) quadratically, and 21-day jejunal immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and 42-day jejunal total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity linearly and quadratically (0.50 g/kg treatment showed the highest immunoglobulin concentration), whereas linearly reduced 21-day ileal SIgA level and 42-day jejunal malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and serum diamine oxidase activity, and quadratically decreased 21-day ileal MDA level (p < 0.05). The 42-day jejunal SIgA, IgG and IgM concentrations, and T-SOD activity in jejunum at 21 days and ileum at both 21 days and 42 days were quadratically increased with MPal administration (p < 0.05, 0.50 g/kg treatment showed the highest T-SOD activity). The mucin 2 mRNA abundances in 42-day jejunum and 21-day ileum were quadratically increased with MPal supplementation (p < 0.05). Treatments linearly increased 42-day ileal zonula occludens-1, claudin-3 and jejunal claudin-3 mRNA level, whereas linearly and quadratically increased ileal claudin-2 mRNA level (p < 0.05). In conclusion, MPal supplementation exhibited beneficial effects on growth performance, intestinal immunity, antioxidant capacity and intestinal integrity and barrier function of broiler with its optimum dosage being 0.5 g/kg.

Effects of Modified Palygorskite Supplementation on Egg Quality and Mineral Element Content, and Intestinal Integrity and Barrier Function of Laying Hens.

This study was conducted to investigate effects of modified palygorskite (MPal) supplementation on the laying performance, egg quality and mineral element content, immunity, oxidative status, and intestinal integrity and barrier function of laying hens. A total of 360 52-week-old Hyline Brown hens were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments for a 7-week feeding trial. The birds were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/kg MPal, respectively. The supplementation of MPal did not alter laying performance and egg quality among groups. Compared with the control group, MPal inclusion decreased lead (Pb) content in yolks at 49 days, and either 0.5- or 1-g/kg MPal supplementation decreased Pb accumulation in yolks at 25 days and manganese (Mn) accumulation in yolks at 25 and 49 days. The contents of jejunal secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), ileal SIgA, and immunoglobulin G were decreased by the dietary 0.5-g/kg MPal supplementation. The supplementation of MPal also decreased malondialdehyde content in jejunum and ileum, and decreased serum diamine oxidase activity of the laying hens at 25 and 49 days. The inclusion of 0.5 and 1 g/kg MPal enhanced villus height in jejunum and ileum, and also increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in ileum. In conclusion, MPal supplementation decreased Pb and Mn contents in yolks, and exhibited beneficial effects on the intestinal immunity, oxidative status, and intestinal integrity and barrier function of laying hens and its optimal dosage was 0.5 g/kg.

Suitability of oral administration of monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate, and magnesium phosphate for the rapid correction of hypophosphatemia in cattle.

BACKGROUND: Hypophosphatemia is commonly associated with disease and decreased productivity in dairy cows particularly in early lactation. Oral supplementation with phosphate salts is recognized as suitable for the rapid correction of hypophosphatemia. Little information is available about the differences in efficacy between salts used for oral phosphorus supplementation. OBJECTIVES: Comparison of efficacy of oral administration of NaH2 PO4 , Na2 HPO4 , and MgHPO4 in treating hypophosphatemia in cattle. ANIMALS: 12 healthy dairy cows in the fourth week of lactation in their second to fifth lactation. METHODS: Randomized clinical study. Phosphorus deficient, hypophosphatemic cows underwent a sham treatment and were afterwards assigned to 1 of 3 treatments-NaH2 PO4 , Na2 HPO4 , or MgHPO4 (each provided the equivalent of 60 g of phosphorus). Blood samples were obtained immediately before and repeatedly after treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with NaH2 PO4 and Na2 HPO4 resulted in rapid and sustained increases of plasma phosphate concentrations ([Pi]). Significant effects were apparent within 1 hour (NaH2 PO4 : P = .0044; Na2 HPO4 : P = .0077). Peak increments of plasma [Pi] of 5.33 mg/dL [5.26-5.36] and 4.30 mg/dL [3.59-4.68] (median and interquartile range) were reached after 7 and 6 hours in animals treated with NaPH2 PO4 and Na2 HPO4 , respectively, whereas treatment with MgHPO4 led to peak increments 14 hours after treatment (3.19 mg/dL [2.11-4.04]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: NaH2 PO4 and Na2 HPO4 are suitable to rapidly correct hypophosphatemia in cattle. Because of the protracted and weaker effect, MgHPO4 cannot be recommended for this purpose. Despite important differences in solubility of NaH2 PO4 and Na2 HPO4 only small plasma [Pi] differences were observed after treatment.

Application of Magnesium Pyrophosphate-Based Sponge-Like Microparticles to Enhance the Delivery Efficiency and Adjuvant Effects of Polyriboinosinic-Polyribocytidylic Acid in Immune Cells.

The magnesium pyrophosphate particle (MgPP) is a unique and safe carrier that is prepared by simply mixing magnesium chloride and sodium pyrophosphate. In this study, we investigated whether MgPP can be used to deliver nucleic acid-based adjuvants to immune cells. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (polyI:C), a ligand for toll-like receptor 3, was selected as a model nucleic acid-based adjuvant. PolyI:C-loaded MgPP (polyI:C-MgPP) was prepared by adding polyI:C during the MgPP preparation process. Efficient loading of polyI:C into MgPP was confirmed by measuring the absorbance at 260 nm after disruption of polyI:C-MgPP by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that both MgPP and polyI:C-MgPP had a unique sponge-like shape with a diameter of approximately 1 µm. PolyI:C-MgPP was more efficiently taken up by toll-like receptor 3-positive RAW264.7 cells than naked polyI:C, and its uptake stimulated increased tumor necrosis factor-α production. When the presentation of ovalbumin (OVA), a model antigen, was evaluated after the addition of OVA along with naked polyI:C or polyI:C-MgPP to mouse dendritic DC2.4 cells, polyI:C-MgPP substantially increased OVA presentation. These results indicate that MgPP is a useful delivery vehicle for polyI:C and that polyI:C-MgPP is an effective immune cell adjuvant.

An evaluation of zinc bearing palygorskite inclusion on the growth performance, mineral content, meat quality, and antioxidant status of broilers.

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn) bearing palygorskite (ZnPal) inclusion on the growth performance, mineral content, meat quality, and antioxidant status of broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicates of 8 chicks. Broilers in the 5 treatments were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg Zn diet in the form of ZnPal for 42 d, respectively. Birds exhibited similar average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed/gain ratio (F:G) among groups during the 42-day study (P>0.05). ZnPal supplementation linearly increased iron (Fe) (P=0.031) and magnesium (Mg) (P=0.002) content in the pectoralis major muscle. Similarly, the inclusion of ZnPal tended to increase Zn content in the thigh (P=0.072) and linearly increase Zn content in the pectoralis major muscle (P=0.055). The concentration of copper (Cu) in the thigh was linearly decreased by ZnPal inclusion (P=0.011). Meanwhile, a quadratic trend for reduced Cu content was observed in the pectoralis major muscle (P=0.074) and thigh (P=0.082), respectively. The supplementation of ZnPal linearly reduced cooking loss in the pectoralis major muscle (P=0.013), and linearly (P=0.029) and quadratically (P=0.034) decreased cooking loss in the thigh. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the thigh was linearly (P=0.020) and quadratically (P=0.017) reduced by ZnPal inclusion. Additionally, ZnPal supplementation tended to linearly enhance total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity of the pectoralis major muscle (P=0.083). The results obtained in the current study indicated that ZnPal inclusion could alter muscular mineral accumulation, improve meat quality, and enhance the muscular antioxidant capacity of broilers, and Zn supplementation in the form of ZnPal at the dosage of 20 mg/kg would be sufficient in improving meat quality and muscular oxidative status.

Effect of cation type and concentration of nitrates on neurological disorders during experimental cerebral ischemia.

Experiments were performed on the model of ischemic stroke due to bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries. Nitrates had various effects on the dynamics of neurological disorders and mortality rate of Wistar rats, which depended on the cation type and concentration.

Intrathecal magnesium as analgesic adjuvant for spinal anesthesia: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of intrathecal magnesium as analgesic adjuvant has been tested by several clinical trials in recent years. We performed a meta-analysis of the available literature. METHODS: Randomized clinical trials comparing a 50 to 100 mg dose of intrathecal magnesium sulfate versus placebo in addition to an intrathecal local anesthetic and/or opiate for a below-umbilicus procedure were included. Medline, LILACS, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases were searched. A random analysis was performed and heterogeneity was tested for. The size of the effect for quantitative outcomes was calculated as standard mean difference (SMD, neutral=0); and as odds ratio (OR, neutral=1) for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: Twelve studies totaling 817 patients were included. The "time to first analgesia request" was at least 35 minutes longer when intrathecal magnesium was included in the intervention (SDM 0.94, 95%CI 0.51 to 1.37, P<0.001). The "onset time to sensory block" (SDM 0.64, 95%CI 0.15 to 1.12, P=0.01) and the "time to maximal motor block" (SDM 0.97, 95%CI 0.28 to 1.67, P=0.006) were 2.4 minutes slower with intrathecal magnesium. There was no difference in "time to full motor recovery, incidence of pruritus, postoperative nausea and vomiting, bradicardia, low blood pressure and urinary retention". No cases of respiratory depression or neurotoxicity were recorded in these studies. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of 50 to 100 mg of intrathecal magnesium in a spinal anesthetic prolongs opiate analgesia duration; no safety concerns have been identified by the included clinical studies but additional evidence is advised.

Effect of magnesium lactate dihydrate and calcium lactate monohydrate on 20-km cycling time trial performance.

Manufacturers of supplements containing magnesium lactate dihydrate and calcium lactate monohydrate claim improved athletic performance. Although energy can be produced through the lactate shuttle system, there is limited evidence to suggest that substantial quantities are available for human movement during exercise. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lactate as a performance-enhancing substance. Nine recreational to competitive cyclists (VO2max = 52.46 ± 11.8) completed 3 simulated 20-km time trials conducted on a Velotron. The first trial was used as a familiarization trial, and the last 2 trials were counterbalanced ergogenic aid/placebo trials. To eliminate the possibility of bias, the study was conducted double blind. Dependent measures (time, mean power, heart rate [HR], and ratings of perceived exertion) for the 3 trials were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance (p = 0.05). There were no significant differences between placebo and ergogenic aid in measures of time (38.78 ± 5.87 minutes vs. 39.07 ± 6.00 minutes; p = 0.212), mean power (236.40 ± 74.8 W vs. 232.81 ± 76.12 W; p = 0.342), and HR (167.36 ± 10.11 minutes vs. 163.70 ± 13.07 minutes; p = 0.092). Ratings of perceived exertion for the placebo trial were significantly higher in relation to the ergogenic aid trial (15.97 ± 0.72 vs. 15.70 ± 0.85; p = 0.039). Although not significant, times during the placebo trials were faster in relation to the ergogenic aid trials. Ratings of perceived exertion were significantly higher in the placebo trials, which could reflect the trend toward faster times. Supplementation of magnesium lactate dihydrate and calcium lactate monohydrate does not appear to significantly improve times during a simulated 20-km time trial and therefore should not be recommended for use as an ergogenic aid.

[Effects of magnesium supplementation on calcium and magnesium levels, and redox homeostasis in normolipidemic and food-induced hyperlipidemic rats]. / Magnéziumpótlás hatása a kalcium- és magnéziumszintekre, valamint a redox-homeosztázisra normolipidaemiás és alimentárisan eloidézett hyperlipidaemiás patkányokban.

UNLABELLED: Magnesium supplementation is quite popular because of intention of health and healthy lifestyle. However, there is no information on the metabolic effects of magnesium supplementation in healthy people and in different diseases. AIMS: Authors examined the effects of magnesium-malate on calcium, magnesium levels, and antioxidant parameters in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n = 40; 150-200 g) were divided into 4 groups (control, control-treated, hyperlipidemic, hyperlipidemic-treated). Rats in the control and control-treated groups were fed with normal diet, while hyperlipidemic and hyperlipidemic-treated groups were fed with fat rich diet (2% cholesterol, 20% sunflower oil, 0.5% cholic acid). After the 9-day-long diet the following parameters were measured: routine laboratory parameters with automatic analysator, metal content using ICP-OES, and redox-parameters using spectrophotometric and luminometric methods. RESULTS: Magnesium-malate failed to produce significant changes in the measured parameters in control animals in most cases. Magnesium-malate decreased significantly serum glucose concentration, alkaline phosphatase and amylase activities in the hyperlipidemic group. Significantly low induced chemiluminescent activity was measured in the plasma and erythrocytes of hyperlipidemic group. The magnesium supplementation did not increase significantly magnesium concentration in different organs although the calcium/magnesium concentration ratio was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: In control animals there was no significant change in the measured parameters in most cases after dietary supplementation with a large amount of magnesium for a short period of time, but magnesium supplementation affected the metal homeostasis, routine laboratory parameters and redox system in hyperlipidemic animals. Although several changes were favorable, it should be emphasized that magnesium supplementation must be applied watchfully particularly in metabolic diseases.

[Wernicke's encephalopathy in chronic alcoholics]. / Wernicke-sjúkdómur medal áfengissjúkra.

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency and most commonly found in individuals with chronic alcoholism and malnutrition. Clinically, its key features are mental status disorders and oculomotor abnormalities as well as stance and gait ataxia. The diagnosis of WE is frequently missed although delay of appropriate treatment can lead to death or Korsakoff's amnestic syndrome. It is therefore crucial in suspected cases of WE, not to await confirmation of diagnosis, but immediately administer high-dose intravenous thiamine and simultaneously treat magnesium deficiency. Alcoholics at risk of WE should on admission receive immediate prophylactic therapy with parenteral thiamine.

Study on precipitation of struvite and struvite-K crystal in goats during onset of urolithiasis.

To learn more about the biomineralization process of struvite in ruminants, a seldom noticeable crystal, struvite-K, was investigated in six goats in which urolithiasis was induced by feeding a cottonseed meal and rice straw diet supplemented with MgO. The compositions of crystals and calculi were studied by chemical qualitative analysis and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The activity product (AP) and relative supersaturation (RSS) of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) and potassium magnesium phosphate (MKP) were calculated to compare the difference of crystals formed in this process. The results showed that calculi consisted of MAP with a little MKP. Crystals in the urine consisted of MAP and MKP before stone formation, but crystals in urine after stone formation mainly consisted of MKP. The AP and RSS of MAP and MKP significantly decreased after stone formation. It was concluded that MAP and MKP may coexist in the crystals of urine before struvite calculi formation but MKP did not precipitate to struvite calculi and was separated out as crystal sedimentation of urine. The changes of crystallization of MAP and MKP contributed partially to the supersaturation status of MAP and MKP during struvite stone formation.

[Effect of some organic and inorganic magnesium salts on lipoprotein state in rats fed with magnesium-deficient diet].

Low serum magnesium (Mg) concentrations have been reported in patients with atherosclerosis. From the other hand numerous clinical reports suggest the beneficial effects of Mg adjuvant therapy for the treatment of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this present study was to compare the effect of Mg L-aspartate and Mg chloride alone and in combinations with pyridoxine, Mg sulfate and Magne B6 (Mg lactate with pyridoxine) on lipid profile in rats fed with Mg deficient diet. To induce hypomagnesemia, fifty-three rats were placed on a Mg-deficient diet (ICN Biomedicals Inc. Aurora, OH) and demineralized water for 7 weeks. Seven control rats were fed a basal control diet (Mg content = 500 mg/kg) and water (with Mg content 20 mg/l) for equal duration. On the forty-ninth day of Mg-deficient diet, rats were treated one of the six supplementations: Mg chloride, Mg L-aspartate alone and in combinations with pyridoxine, Mg sulphate and Magne B6 (50 mg Mg and 5 mg vitamin B6 per kg). In our study Mg deficiency resulted in increase of triglyceride (by 35.2 %p < 0.0001), LDL (more than fourfold p < 0.0001), total cholesterol (by 38.7% p < 0.0001), apolipoprotein B (by 74.1%, p = 0.0006) levels and decrease in concentration of HDL (by 28.7% p < 0.0001). The non-HDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio was more than threefold increased (p < 0.0001). Oral magnesium salts led to normalization of lipid state with a return to pre-deficient levels. Magnesium salts in combinations with pyridoxine tended to be significantly more effective as compared with salts without pyridoxine. The hypolipidemic effect of studied salts was comparable with those observed in Magne B6 treatment and significantly higher than in magnesium sulfate treatment.

[The role of alimentary magnesium deficiency in development of nephrolithiasis and its correction with magnesium salts in rats].

Aims of our work were to appraise the quantity and nature of renal calcifications and mineral metabolism in the magnesium-deficient rats; and to find out whether the combination of pyridoxine with Mg L-aspartate or Mg chloride will reduce the length of the treatment needed to recover rats from magnesium deficient condition and urolithiasis state. To induce hypomagnesemia, fifty rats were placed on a magnesium-deficient diet (magnesium content < or = 15 mg/kg) and demineralized water for 10 weeks. On the forty-ninth day of magnesium-deficient diet, rats were treated one of the six supplementations: MgCl2, Mg-L-Asp or their combinations with pyridoxine hydrochloride, magnesium sulfate, magne B6.

Greenhouse evaluation of struvite and sludges from municipal wastewater treatment works as phosphorus sources for plants.

Sewage sludge obtained by a conventional aerobic activated sludge process (CSS), P-rich sewage sludge from an enhanced biological P removal process (PRS), and struvite (MgNH 4PO 4 x 6H 2O) recovered from an anaerobic digester supernatant using a low-grade MgO byproduct from the calcination of natural magnesite as a Mg source (STR) were evaluated as P sources for plant growth. For this purpose, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using a P-deficient loamy sand soil and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) as the test crop. The P sources were applied at rates equivalent to 0, 9, 17, 26, 34, and 44 mg/kg P. Single superphosphate (SUP) was used as reference for comparison with the other P sources. The results obtained indicated that STR was as effective as SUP in increasing the dry matter yield and supplying P to ryegrass. Compared to SUP and STR, PRS and especially CSS exhibited less agronomic effectiveness as P sources, which may be attributed, at least partially, to greater soil P fixation because of the larger amount of Fe incorporated with these materials.