WATER AND ELECTROLYTE CHANGES IN AGING PROCESS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM IN CARDIAC MUSCLE

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Abstract
Concentrations of six electrolytes in seven tissues were determined in rats, the ages of which varied from 1 to 36 months, to demonstrate any changes in the electrolyte pattern during the aging process. Of the tissues studied, the electrolyte pattern of cardiac muscle showed the greatest change with age. There was a general decrease in the concentration of all cations and also of one anion, chloride, in this tissue; phosphate was the only ion to remain constant. The electrolyte pattern of the liver also changed considerably with age; the concentration of all cations decreased with the exception of calcium, which showed no variation. The electrolyte concentration of skeletal muscle changed little with age; only potassium and calcium diminished in concentration. The kidney showed an increase in the amount of calcium and phosphorus and a decrease in the level of potassium in the oldest group of animals. The aorta revealed a striking decrease in the magnesium level and a progressive increase in the amount of calcium with age. The electrolyte pattern of serum and brain was constant, except for the concentration of chloride, which was elevated in the serum of the oldest rats. The concentration of water in tissues was generally found to decrease with age.