Effects of Fluoride on Magnesium Deficiency in the Guinea Pig

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Abstract
Experiments were conducted with young growing guinea pigs to study the magnesium:fluoride relationship at several dietary levels of magnesium and of fluoride. Addition of fluoride (100 or 200 ppm) to a diet suboptimal in magnesium (0.04%) alleviated soft tissue calcinosis. The effect was evident after 6 and 12 weeks of feeding and appeared to be mediated through a sparing of the magnesium requirement. Growth depression, serum magnesium decrease, and bone magnesium loss were moderated by fluoride addition to the low magnesium diet. The magnesium-sparing and anticalcinatory effects of fluoride were less pronounced in animals fed 0.009% magnesium. A higher level of fluoride (300 ppm) was toxic to guinea pigs fed the low magnesium (0.04%) diet, but not to those fed 0.21% magnesium. Magnesium deficiency was associated with an increase in heart potassium content which was retarded by 100 ppm dietary fluoride. In comparison with data reported previously, species differences are apparent in the magnesium:fluoride interrelationship between the guinea pig, dog and rat.