Effect of Magnesium, Fluoride, and Ascorbic Acid on Metabolism of Connective Tissue

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Abstract
Experiments were conducted in which young growing guinea pigs were fed diets which were deficient in ascorbic acid or magnesium or contained supplements of fluoride. The effect of these dietary factors upon connective tissues was measured by hexosamine, uronic acid, and hydroxyproline analyses. Blood serum hexosamine content was normal in fluorosis and magnesium deficiency when compared with the control group. Hexosamine values were uniformly elevated and hydroxyproline values depressed in animals fed diets low in ascorbic acid, diets high in fluoride (450 ppm) and low in magnesium (96 ppm), and in those animals fed low magnesium-low ascorbic acid diets. Blood serum levels of magnesium underwent a marked and characteristic reduction from normal ranges of 2 to 3 mg/100 ml to values less than 1 mg/100 ml in those groups receiving low magnesium diets. Growth rates were retarded by low magnesium, low ascorbic acid or the addition of 450 ppm fluoride. Results of hexosamine and hexuronic acid analysis on heart, aorta, kidney and selected connective tissue samples showed no significant differences as a result of dietary test diets fed for 17 days. A dyschondroplasia was observed in the hind leg bones of animals fed 450 ppm F with a diet containing 96 ppm magnesium.