Abstract
Summary
Magnesium-deficient mice immunized with SRBC showed a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the number of PFC in their spleens compared with mice on a control diet. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations (IgG1, IgG2, IgA and IgM) were determined after 3, 6, 9 and 12 days on the respective diets. The serum IgG2 and IgM concentrations of magnesium-deficient mice were decreased (P < 0.005) by 6 days and remained at these concentrations until 12 days. The serum IgG1 and IgA concentrations of magnesium deficient animals also decreased (P < 0.01) by 6 days but returned toward control concentrations at 12 days. Serum magnesium concentrations confirmed the magnesium deficiency of the experimental animals. Therefore, magnesium deficiency has profound immunosuppressive capabilities in mice by significantly reducing the number of antibody synthesizing cells and serum immunoglobulin concentrations.
I want to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Richard Asofsky for providing the materials and methods for determining the serum immunoglobulin concentrations.
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