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 eight weeks, rats on a magnesium-deficient diet exhibited symptoms such as alopecia, skin eruptions, limb edema, and pleural effusion. The magnesium-deficient group showed significantly elevated heart rate and diastolic/mean blood pressure. Despite this, both voltage-gated and receptor-operated vascular smooth muscle contractions were significantly reduced, without affecting the maximal force development of the contractile apparatus. The findings suggested that magnesium deficiency led to metabolic disorders, including skin lesions and congestive heart failure, and caused an elevation in diastolic blood pressure, although the mechanisms behind the reduced vascular contraction remained unclear.