Effects of Alloxan Diabetes on Magnesium Metabolism in the Rat 1

Summary

This study examines effects on magnesium and calcium balance consequent to uncontrolled alloxan diabetes in the rat. Intake and fecal and urinary excretion of both magnesium and calcium were greater in diabetics than controls. Net magnesium absorption was the same in controls and diabetics, but percent absorption was lower in diabetics (18%) than in controls (27%) because of their greater intake. For calcium, although controls absorbed 11% of intake, diabetics excreted 103% of intake in stool. Controls were in positive and diabetics in negative balance for both magnesium and calcium. Negative magnesium balance in diabetics resulted from failure to increase net absorption while urinary excretion increased in parallel with increased intake. These studies demonstrate a mild defect in intestinal magnesium transport in comparison with the gross defect in calcium transport in diabetes.