Cellular Changes in the Exocrine Pancreas of Rats Fed Two Levels of Magnesium and Protein

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Abstract
The acute and chronic effects of magnesium deficiency on the pancreas were studied in young male rats fed either 15 or 30% casein. In the first of two studies, serial observations were made through 60 days of dietary treatment. Throughout, magnesium deficiency occurred earlier and was more marked in animals fed the 30% casein diet. Deficient animals exhibited decreased weight gains compared with pair-fed controls, lowered blood magnesium levels, and in the acute stage, elevations in blood histamine. Pancreatic histamine levels were also elevated during acute magnesium deficiency. Pancreatic magnesium and total protein content showed no effects of dietary treatment. In a subsequent study, the same dietary treatments were imposed for 10 days. Rats were killed after a 14-hour fast or 2 hours after refeeding after a 12-hour fast. Ten µCi of 14C-valine was injected intraperitoneally 5, 45, or 120 minutes before killing. Pancreatic size, protein, and chymotrypsin concentration appeared to be controlled only by the dietary protein level. However, 14C concentration in pancreatic protein 2 hours after injection of label was significantly reduced in magnesium-deficient fasted rats. The ratios of concentrations of label in pancreatic and blood protein-free filtrates in magnesium-deficient animals suggested impairment in amino acid transport. Effects of dietary treatments did not appear in refed animals.

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