Effect of Magnesium Deficiency on Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Potassium During Dietary Potassium Restriction

Abstract

Summary

The influence of coexisting Mg deficiency on cardiac and skeletal muscle K depletion was investigated. Rats were subject to either a K deficiency or K plus Mg deficiency regimen. It is concluded that:

1. K deficiency accompanied by coexisting Mg deficiency results in accelerated deficit of K in both cardiac and skeletal muscle when contrasted to K deficiency alone.

2. In contrast to skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle was relatively resistant to K loss during K and Mg depletion.

The authors thank Miss Joan Rambush for assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.