Elevation of Diastolic Blood Pressure and Reduction of Vascular Contraction in Magnesium Deficient Rat Model

The study investigated the effects of magnesium deficiency on blood pressure and vascular responses in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Over an 8-week period, rats on a magnesium-deficient diet exhibited symptoms such as alopecia, skin eruptions, limb edema, and pleural effusion. The magnesium-deficient group showed a significant increase in heart rate and diastolic/mean blood pressure. Despite this, there was a notable reduction in both voltage-gated and receptor-operated vascular smooth muscle contraction, without affecting the maximal force development of the contractile apparatus. The findings suggested that magnesium deficiency led to metabolic disorders and elevated diastolic blood pressure, although the mechanisms behind the reduced vascular contraction remained unclear.