Abstract
Summary
Experiments were conducted to study the effects of endogenous and supplemental thyroxine on the renal deposition of calcium resulting from magnesium deficiency in rats and the role of the parathyroid glands in contributing to such calcification. Elimination of endogenous thyroxine with propylthiouracil (PTU) effectively increased the calcium concentration in renal tissue of both normal and magnesium deficient animals. Exogenous thyroxine completely reversed the effects of PTU ablation of the thyroid. In addition, endogenous thyroxine apparently plays a role in the maintenance of serum magnesium as does the parathyroid hormone which functions to promote mobilization of bone magnesium to maintain blood levels. The presence of the parathyroid glands was required for calcification of renal tissue to occur. Surgical removal of these glands resulted in the reduction to normal of renal tissue concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in magnesium deficient animals. It is possible that the dietary mineral imbalance imposed upon the animals increased the activity of the parathyroids and was in this way responsible for mineral deposition in renal tissues.
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