Abstract
Summary
Renal function and ion binding in plasma were studied in magnesium-deficient and control guinea pigs. Renal clearance of creatinine and phosphate in magnesium-deficient guinea pigs was one-half the control rate. Magnesium sulfate, administered intraperitoneally, stimulated phosphate excretion significantly in deficient animals, but not in controls. Impaired renal function may well contribute to the elevated blood phosphorus levels in magnesium-deficient guinea pigs, and magnesium appears to exert a direct biochemical role in phosphate clearance. The percentages of ultrafil-trable calcium and phosphate in plasma were not altered by magnesium deficiency, but because of hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, the concentration of ultrafiltrable calcium was less and of ultrafiltrable phosphate greater in the deficient animals. The concentration of plasma magnesium was markedly reduced but the ultrafiltrable proportion was slightly increased.
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