The effect of magnesium depletion on thyroid function in rats.

The effects of dietary magnesium (Mg) depletion on thyroid function were studied in young male rats. The rats were fed a semipurified diet containing either 12 ppm Mg (deficient rats) or 662 ppm Mg (control rats) for 14 to 28 days. Results showed that the Mg-deficient rats had decreased body weight gain, lowered concentrations of plasma thyroxine (T4) and Mg, but increased weight of the thyroid gland when expressed in proportion to the body weight (milligrams/100 g).

Impairment of ascorbic acid synthesis in liver extracts of magnesium-deficient rats.

The effect of feeding a magnesium (Mg)-deficient diet for 9-34 days to weanling and young male rats on urinary and tissue ascorbate levels were studied. The concentrations of ascorbic acid in the liver and kidney were significantly reduced in the rats receiving a Mg-deficient diet as compared to those receiving a Mg-supplemented diet. The response to trichloro-2-methyl-2-propanol stimulation of urinary ascorbic acid was found to be considerably suppressed by dietary deficiency of Mg, suggesting that the decrease was not due to feed intake.